EARLY TIMES ON THE SUSQUEHANNA. 



EARLY TIMES 



THE SUSQUEHANNA, 



MRS. GEORGE A. PERKIiXS 



Fair river, though thus silently you flow, 

On thy green banks once woke the wail of woe. 

Lewerg. 




BINGHAMTON : 

MALETTE & REID, PEINTE.ES. 

18T0. 



Entered accordins: to Act of Con<rress, in the year 1S70, by 

Mrs. GEORGE A. PERKINS, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States lor the 

Western District of Pennsylvania. 



\OSSi 



INTEODUOTION. 



A MEETING of the early settlers of this region was held 
at Athens, Pa., in the Presbyterian church, on the 22d of 
February, 1854. 

The venerable Major Flower, a Revohitionary soldier, 
and long known as an efficient surveyor, was called to the 
chair, sustained by Hon. Dr. Barstow of Nichols, and Hon. 
H. Williston of Athens, as Vice-Presidents. 

Many ancient men, and a large number of the descend- 
ants of the first settlers were present, and were highly en- 
tertained by addresses from Dr. Barstow, Judge Williston, 
Hon. Thomas Maxwell of Elmira, Judge Avery of Owego, 
Judge McDowell of Chemung, and others. There were 
representatives from Owego, Elmira, and the neighboring 
towns, some of whom gave historical sketches of their re- 
spective districts. 

Dr. Barstow opened the meeting, stating the object for 
which they had assembled, and called attention to the im- 
portance of collecting facts and incidents connected with 
the early settlement of the country. He thought it highly 
proper that we should know the history of the first settle- 
ment of our country. 



vi Introduction. 

Hon. C. P. Avery, who was called upon, commenced his 
remarks by exhibiting the original Indian title or convey- 
ance of a tract of land, made'by the Indians to Amos 
Draper, the first white settler at Owego. This tract was 
three miles in width, and six in length, including the site 
of the present village of Owego. It is written in the Iro- 
quois language, said to be far the most beautiful of any In- 
dian language, but now extinct. Judge Avery had procured 
a translation, through a learned Seneca Chief,* which he 
read. It had been recently found among some old papers 
in the garret of one of the descendants of Mr. Draper. 

It was passed through the assembly, exciting great in- 
terest, and was looked upon as a rare and valuable curiosity. 
He proceeded to give a graphic history of Owego and the 
neighboring tow^ns, — Nichols, Barton, Berkshire, Candor, 
and Spencer, — from their early settlement by the white 
people, and the names of the Pioneers who first settled 
these places. 

Hon. Thomas Maxwell confined his remarks principally 
to Tioga Point, and cherished a warm regard for the vil- 
lage of his birth and the scenes of his early childhood, 
and while life and health were spared, would be ready to 
contribute to the preservation of the history of the first 
settlement of our beautiful valley. 

Judge Willistou made a striking comparison between 

* Mr. E. S. Parker. 



Introduction. vii 

the state of the country fifty years ago when he was pass- 
ing down from Broome County to Bradford, along the 
valley. Then the improvements were comparatively new. 
There wei-e two skeletons of churches, and two or three 
school-houses. Now the entire distance is covered with 
villages, churches, academies, school-houses, and highly 
cultivated farms. Judge Williston always showed himseli 
the friend of the early Connecticut settler, and referred to 
the Trenton Decree, and the difficulty of procuring title to 
the lands, as greatly retarding the settlement of the coun- 
try. 

Judge McDowell thought we should visit and converse 
with the few that yet remain of the early settlers, and 
gather all the historical facts about early times that could 
be obtained. He hoped a minute and accurate history 
would soon be written. 

Such meetings of the early settlers have doubtless had a 
salutary influence among the descendants of the early 
Pioneers, perpetuating and cementing the bond of union 
which originated with their fathers in the days of their 
privations and hardships, when their sympathies were mu- 
tual. The first of these gatherings was held at Elmira in 
1853, the second at Athens, 1854, and the third at Owego, 
1855. It was affecting to observe how rapidly these aged 
veterans passed away from one of the " Old Settlers' meet- 
ings," to another. The deaths of many familiar friends 



viii Inteodijction. 

were reported from year to year, and the number has con- 
tinued to diminish rapidly, until it is difficult to find one, 
whose faculties of mind and body are not too much im- 
paired to be able to communicate intelligently. Hence 
the embarrassment of furnishing a complete history. 

At the close of the meeting first mentioned. Judge Avery 
urged it as the duty of some resident to write the history 
of this place and vicinity. Fifteen years have passed, and 
no such looked-for record has appeared. Having some 
facilities from my late father's papers, in my possession, I 
propose for the benefit of my children and others who may 
feel an interest in the subject, to make such statements as 
these documents, together with information received from 
my ancestors, and from authors whom I have consulted, 
and my own personal knowledge, may enable me to do. 

I would also gratefdlly acknowledge^ the kindness of 
friends who have aided me in the work. 

It is natural for the intelligent to wish to learn all they 
can about the history of their ancestors, and the place ot 
their own nativity ; and if this sketch can afi'ord any grati- 
fication to the living, or be useful to those who may come 
after, the object will be accomplished. 



OOiSrTEI^TS 



CHAPTER I. P^g^ 

Indians ". 1 

CHAPTER II. 
Moravian Missions — "Wyalusing- 25 

CHAPTER III. 
Connecticut Title 31 

CHAPTER ly. 
Queen Esther. 46 

CHAPTER V. 
Sullivan's Expedition in 1779 50 

CHAPTER VI. 
Matthias Hollenback 56 

CHAPTER VII. 
New Sheshequin 62 

CHAPTER YIII. 
Old Sheshequin 72 

CHAPTER IX. 
John Shepard 74 

CHAPTER X. 
Claverack 88 



X Contents.^ 

CHAPTER XI. Page 

The Collins Murder 92 

CHAPTER XII. 
Indian Treaty at Tioga Point 97 

CHAPTER XIII. 
French Town or Astluji 109 

CHAPTER XIV. 
Athens Township 113 

CHAPTER XY. 
Boundaries 123 

CHAPTER XYI. 
Distinguished Characters 126 

CHAPTER XVII. 
Early Inhabitants 138 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

MiLLTOWN 158 

CHAPTER XIX. 
Post-office and Stages 175 

CHAPTER XX. 
Shad Fishery 179 

CHAPTER XXI. 
Troy and Adjacent Towns 182 

CHAPTER XXII. 
Factoryville and "Wavekly 191 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
Remarkable Events 197 



Contents. xi 



CHAPTER XXIY. Pack 

Improveitents 200 

CHAPTER XXV. 
The Deer Hunt OF 1818 206 

CHAPTER XXYI. 
Soldiers 211 

CHAPTER XXYII. 
Floods 220 

CHAPTER XXYIIL 
The Church 225 

CHAPTER XXIX. 
Mrs, Clement Paine 235 



Early Times. 



IKDIAlsrS. 

LAE-GE and powerful tribes of Indians inhabit- 
ed the territories of New York, New Jersey 
and Pennsylvania less than a hundred years ago. 
The Delawares, or Lenni Lenape, whose sub- 
divisions were numerous, some of them known as 
the Turtle, the Turkey and the Wolf tribes, had 
been the most powerful, until the Five Nations 
formed a league to subjugate and make them 
vassals. This they did most effectually early in 
the 18th century, and ever after treated them as 
subjects. 

The five confederate nations were the Mohawks, 
Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas. His- 
torians speak of the Tuscaroras, as having been 



14 Early Times. 

driven from North Carolina and adopted by 
the confederates at a later period, constituting^ 
with them, the Six Nations, and called by the 
Frencli, Iroquois, and by the English Mingoes. 

The Mousey or Wolf tribe, a part of the Dela- 
wares, was powerful and warlike, and occupied 
both branches of the Susquehanna. The Sham- 
okins, Shawnees and Nanticokes, ako were power- 
ful, but these were all subject to the great con- 
federacy, the Six Nations, and nothing could exceed 
the severity with which they treated those who 
dared to transgress their code ; to take the liberty 
to sell land, or to attempt to rise above their deg- 
radation. It was jealousy of the growing popu- 
larity of Tedeuscung, the Delaware chief, among 
the white people, that instigated that barbarous 
act of a party of warriors from the Six Nations 
when they visited Wyoming upon a pretence of 
friendship, but one night set fire to the house of 
the chief, together with which he was burned to 
ashes. He was a man of ability, and his death 
was greatly lamented. The Delawares had no 
name or place except such as was granted them 
by their merciless conquerors. They cowered "be- 
fore their powerful foe. In this subdued state 
perhaps they were the better prepared to receive 
the gospel, when it was proclaimed to them. They 
called themselves the original people, and their 
language was the Algonquin. 

Count Zinzendorf, Zeisberger and others among 
the Moravians, labored among them at a very early 
date. David and John Brainard, New England 
missionaries, were received among the Delawares 



Indians. 15 

of New Jersey, as friends of the red man, and ^t 
is astonishing to note the access these men had to 
the hearts of these degraded people, some of them 
only able to address them through an interpreter. 

In many cases powerful revivals of religion were 
known among them, and many of the converts 
became consistent Christians, and continued stead- 
fast through life. 

After the Six Nations had subjugated the Dela- 
wares, or, as they expressed it, " clothed them in 
petticoats," they soon commenced their emigration 
down the beautiful valley to their newly acquired 
territories. Tioga Point w^as doubtless the rally- 
ing place for many a stately Indian, clothed in his 
blanket or skins, attended by his squaw and pa- 
pooses, migrating south in his Indian canoe, to 
take possession of his conquered domain, and en- 
joy the pleasures and benefits of his incompara- 
ble hunting and fishing ground. 

The Delawares received them with kindness ; 
they dared not do otherwise, and their good Chris- 
tian teachers, who had great influence with them, 
taught them to bear their trials patiently, and to 
recommend religion, to their enemies by their lives 
and conversation. This was not without its effect. 
We read that many among the confederates 
embraced the Christian religion. 

Mr. Maginnes speaks of Shikelimy, a chief of the 
Cayuga tribe, who was stationed at Shamokin, to 
rule over the Indians. He was an excellent man, 
possessed of many noble qualities of mind, that 
would do honor to many a white man lay- 
ing claims to greater refinement and intelli- 



16 Early Times. 

gence. He was possessed of great dignity, sobrietj 
and prudence, and was particularly noted for his 
kindness to the whites and missionaries. He was 
a most intimate and valued friend of Conrad 
Weiser, agent for the government, and interpreter, 
who entertained great respect for him. On several 
important occasions he attended the sittings of the 
Provincial Council at Philadelphia, and perform- 
ed many embassies between the government of 
Pennsylvania and the Six Nations. He was the 
first magistrate and head Chief of all the Iroquois 
Indians living on the banks of the Susquehanna, 
and as far as Onondaga. He had several sons, one 
of whom was "Logan, the Mingo Chief." 

He became a convert to Christianity, and in his 
last illness was attended by David Zeisberger, and 
in his presence died a peaceful and happy death, 
with full assurance of eternal life through the 
merits of Jesus Christ. 

Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania, sent to 
condole with his family after his death, and pres- 
ents were given them, in order to wipe away their 
tears. The presents were matchcoats, shirts and a 
string of wampum. 

The Indians of our country have ever been 
looked upon with interest by. every lover of his- 
tory. They have justly been charged with savage 
cruelties, such as make the blood chill, when 
called to mind. But when we look upon them as 
natives of the soil, and we the invaders ; when we 
consider how all nations are affected b}^ intrusion 
and oppression, and what.excesses of barbarity the 
most civilized nations have allowed and prac- 



Indians. 17 

ticed ; we might do well to extend cliarity to the 
less cultivated and refined, who have not had the 
advantages with which we have been favored. 

Those who have felt an interest in them, and 
studied their character, and those who have spent 
months and years among them, instructing them 
in civilization and Christianity, are not backward 
in ascribing to them the characteristics of human- 
ity, common to the fallen race of Adam, and it has 
been proved,, in very many instances, where their 
minds have been instructed and their hearts re- 
newed by Divine grace, that they have been among 
the most humane, sensible and reliable of men. 

The white man who indulges in deeds of cruelty 
acts contrary to the laws of civilized society ; not 
so with the Indian in his savage state ; he is con- 
sistent with his principles, and conducts accord- 
ingly. 

After the labors of the Brainards and Ten- 
nents had closed in New Jersey, and the Moravian 
Indians had removed West, no one was found to 
guide them. . Some of them had received instruc- 
tion at the school for Indian youth, at Lebanon, 
Conn., under the care of the Rev. Mr. Wheelock, 
founder of Dartmouth College. But they were not 
competent to direct the minds of the people, and they 
suffered much from ignorance and neglect. X5ruel 
men took the advantage of them, acting upon the 
principle that the "Indian had no rights which 
white men were bound to respect." In 1802 many 
of them resolved to go to the Oneidas, on Oneida 
Lake, who had invited them to "eat of their 
dish," saying it was large enough for both. 



18 Early Times. 

The united tribes remained there until 1824, when 
the encroachments of the whites induced them to 
purchase a tract of land on Fox river, near Green 
Bay. 

The few that remained in New Jerse}^ applied 
by memorial to the Legislature of the State, for 
compensation for their claim, through Bartholo- 
mew Calvin, an educated Chief, 76 years old. He 
had been in Princeton College, until the Eevolu- 
tionary war cut otf the funds of the society, by 
which he was supported. He afterward taught 
school when he had as many white as Indian pu- 
pils. 

In his petition to the Legislature he says, "my 
brethren I am old, and weak, and poor, and 
therefore a fit representative of my people. 
You are young, and strong, and rich, and there- 
fore a fit representative of your people. But 
let me beg you for a moment to lay aside the re- 
collection of your strength, and our weakness, 
that your minds may be prepared to examine with 
candor, the subject of our claim." Then stating 
their claim, he says, "we consider the State Legis- 
lature the proper purchaser, and trust that you 
will be induced to give us what 3^ou deem a pro- 
per compensation. In behalf of the Red brethren 
— Bartholomew Calvin." 

The Legislature granted him two thousand dol- 
lars on his petition. He returned his thanks to 
both Houses, in the name of "a wasted yet grate- 
ful people." 

Some now living may remember the final depar- 
ture of the Delaware Indians for their new home 



Indians. 19 

among the Oneidas ; their scanty furniture, their 
rude relics, the aged, the sick, and the little ones, 
which were packed in wagons while the healthy- 
marched on foot, and some were playing on the 
violin to cheer up the desponding. They became 
amalgamated with the Oneidas, and were soon 
mingling with the white inhabitants, selling their 
split brooms and baskets. 

In 1830 the Oneidas sold much of their land to the 
State ; many remaining still on their reservation ; 
jet in 1832 most of these tribes migrated to Green 
Bay. They have since gone still farther west. 
Mr. Marsh the missionary says : "I have met 
with several of the children of David Brainard's 
people, and obtained of one of them the conch 
ishell with which Brainard used to call the people 
together for public worship, in New Jersey. Some 
of them pray in their families, dress well, and be- 
have well. ' ' What did your grandmother say about 
David Brainard, Mr. M. inquired of one of them. 
She said, ' ' He was a young man — a lovely man, he 
was a staff to walk with. He went from house to 
house, to talk about religion — that was his way.** 

Skanadoah, an Oneida Chief, and a convert to the 
Christian religion, died in 1815, aged about 113 
years. He had been a pupil of Mr. Kirkland, the 
missionary who labored about forty years for the 
benefit of the Oneidas. Mr. Kirkland donated 
the land for Hamilton College, and it is said that 
through him and Dr. Wheelock, both Hamilton 
and Dartmouth Colleges arose indirectly as the 
result of Indian missions. Mr. K. lived at Oneida 
Castle, with his family. He died at Clinton in 



20 Early Times. 

1808, aged QQ years. Skanadoah was buried at 
Ms particular request Iby the side of the mission- 
ary, to whom he had been much attached. A 
monument was erected to him, by the corporation 
of Hamilton College, within the College burying 
ground. 

He is represented by a poet as saying at his 
death : 

*' Lo! my war shout is ended, my bow is unstrung ■ 
And warriors! I rise to the hills of my rest, 
I meet not your feasts, and I meet not your song, 
There's a home for the Chief in the isles of the blest." 

The Six Nations had great power in the territory 
of Pennsylvania, until they sold to the white peo- 
ple. Their fishing and hunting grounds, in these 
wilds, were unequaled. The shad, the bass, and 
the trout, the bear, -the stately elk, and herds of 
deer gave them business, food and clothing, and 
with their variety of corn dishes, their fare was 
good and wholesome. Their councils were numer- 
ous, where they repeated their legends, and handed 
down the traditions of former ages, to be again re- 
peated to those who should come after them. At 
these councils their women were not only allowed 
to be present, but their opinions were consulted in 
war debates, and strange to say of heathen, their 
women often acted as mediators, and when they 
advised to lay down the hatchet, their arguments 
often prevailed. 

But labor was principally confined to the women, 
and it was deemed disgraceful for a man to work. 
Even as late as 1831, a missionary among theSene- 



Indians. 21 

cas at Cattaraugus states that a man might hunt 
and fish and play ball and fight, and maintain his re- 
spectability, but he could not evenbrino- his game 
into the settlement. Suppose he had been out into 
the Pennsylvania forests, and killed a deer, he 
might bring it all the way on his shoulders, 'till 
he came within a mile of the settlement ; but " eti- 
quette" required him to leave it there, and go 
home, and say to the women, *'In such a place 
you will find some vension which I have brought 
you," and they must go out and lug it into 
camp. 

The Oneidas and Senecas were set to guard the 
subjugated tribes along the branches of the Sus- 
quehanna-. They separated the Nanticokes, plac- 
ing a portion of them north, near Owego, and 
some of them down the valley below Wilkes- 
barre. The Delawares were scattered, to weaken 
their power, and the other tribes placed here 
and there, at the discretion of their lordly con- 
querors. The Mousey or Wolf tribe, were very 
warlike, and were likewise separated, some 
placed on the West Branch, near Mousey, others 
below Tioga Point, where they had a village 
called Wilawane, or Monseytown. They removed 
west in Pennsylvania to Venango. Queen Esther' s 
village was afterwards built upon the same ground 
along on the ridge. 

Among the Six Nations there were many dis- 
tinguished men. Some noted for their talents, and 
others for their cruelty. Shickeleny has been 
spoken of as a man of noble mind and a Christ- 
ian ; Brant, a Mohawk chief, possessed superior 



22 Early Times. 

talents, had received some education, and was a 
* ^British officer in epaulets ;" "* Canassitigo, an 
Onondaga chief, so cruel and sarcastic to- 
wards the Delawares, (an account of which 
may he found in Miner's History of Wyoming); 
the good and talented Skanadoah, of the Onei- 
das ; and Cornplanter, a Seneca chief, and 
fiiend of the white man, who was well-known 
in his prime by the whites and Indians on 
the West and North branches of the Susque- 
hanna, and did much to conciliate, in cases of 
difficulty. In later life he lived on a small reser- 
vation in Pennsylvania, about four miles below 
the State line, on the Allegany river. He died a 
little more than thirty years ago. A neat and 
tasteful monument was erected over his grave, in 
1866, at the expense of the state of Pennsylvania. 
He was supposed to be about 107 years of age. 
Missionaries who have long laoored in that reser- 
vation speak well of his family. He has two sons 
and a daughter still living, and numerous grand- 
children. Red Jacket, another Seneca chief, was 
perhaps, better known in New York and North- 
ern Pennsylvania than any other chief. He vis- 
ted Tioga Pomt many times, and figured largely 
at the treaty in 1790. His powers of eloquence 
were said to be very great. Some now living here 
remember him. He lived on the reservation near 
Buflalo, and died in about 1830. Many others. 



* Colonel Parker, the well-known Seneca Indian gentleman, on 
General Grant's staff during the late war, states that Brant was the 
translator of the gospel into Iroquois. Colonel Stone corroborates 
his statement in his life of Brant. 



Indians. 23 

whose names will appear in tlie account of the 
treaty, were noted and influential men. 

It is well understood that the valley we now 
occupy was once inhabited by these Indian tribes, 
principally Senecas, Cayugas and Oneidas, their 
headquarters being at Onondaga. This valley was 
the grand thoroughfare from that place to Wyo- 
ming, and still further south. 

Thes-e rivers and mountains, these plains and 
valleys, islands and grottoes were as familior to 
them as they are to us. They owned the soil, 
and tilled it with their rude implements. Their 
Indian corn grew where much of ours now grows. 
They here took from these rivers the fish, the ' ' de- 
licious shad," which we once enjoyed, but from 
which we are now cut off by our imjprovements. 
They sailed on these waters, in their native canoes. 
With their bow and arrow they caught the 
bounding deer of the forest, his flesh was their 
food, and his skin their clothing. Their council 
tires were kindled on the banks of the Susque- 
hanna ; they smoked the pipe of peace under 
these lofty elms ; they bathed in these rivers ; their 
lovers walked on these banks, and made their plans 
for future life. They knew of no superiors, and 
were subject to no dictation but their great coun- 
cil at Onondaga. 

They engaged in the old French war against the 
English, and were powerful foes. But they had 
been invaders upon the Delawares, and now a 
stronger nation was crowding them out of their 
possessions. Purchases of lands were made of 
them by the wliite people, at very low prices, at 



24 Early Times. 

various times, wMcli weakened their power, and 
soured their minds, and when the Eevolutionary 
war was in progress, the most of the tribes were 
readily engaged on the British side, against the 
colonies ; the Oneidas for the most part being our 
faithful friends, throughout the conflict. It is 
wonderful that the colonists should ever have at- 
tained their independence, with the British on 
their front, the Indians on their rear, and the to- 
ries in their midst ; the interposition of Divine 
Providence was manifest, and His agency was 
gratefully acknowledged by the Commander-in- 
Chief. 

It was about this time of their power and pride, 
that the Indians were instigated by the British to 
engage with t4iem in their murderous expedition 
into Wyoming Yalley, to deprive the inhabi- 
tants of their fathers, brothers and possessions, 
and put the distressed families to flight. But ven- 
geance pursued them, and in a short time they 
were driven into close and uncomfortable quar- 
ters, in their own possessions, or compelled to find 
uncertain homes among their British friends in 
Canada. * 



* These accounts of the Indians are gathered principally from the 
several histories of Wyoming, the lives of John and David Brainard, 
and the Moravian papers. 



II 

MOEAYIAJ:^ MISSIONS-WYAiUSIlSra 

rpHE first account we have of tlie labors of the 
-^ Moravian Brethren among the Indians of Penn- 
sylvania, is from thek own history. They com- 
menced their missions in 1740 ; one in the State of 
New York, the other in Connecticut, twenty miles 
distant, under the care of Rev. Martin Mack, and 
were very successful in in^^tructing them in the 
Christian religion. But they were so persecuted by 
the white people, that after four years the ' ' Breth- 
ren' ' thought best to remove them, forty in number, 
to Bethlehem for protection, where they built 
huts for themselves, and called their settlement 
Friedenshuetten, or Tents of Peace. Their num- 
bers increased so much that in a few months the 
Brethren bought a tract of land for them, near 
the Mahony creek, and the Lehigh river. 

Their missionary and others laid out the town, 
which they called Gnadenheutten, or Tents of 
Grace. They soon numbered ^ve hundred In- 
dians. 

The war between the French and English com 
menced in 1755. The Christian Indians were friends 
to the British, while the savages were engaged for 
the French. 



26 Early Times. 

The French Indians threatened the Christian 
Indians, and were a constant terror to them. At 
last they attacked the mission house on the Ma- 
hony one evening, and eleven of the inhabitants 
were murdered. Application was made to Gov- 
ernor Denny for protection. They were .removed 
to the barracks in Philadelphia, where fifty-five of 
them died. They were buried in what is now 
Washington Square. 

After the close of the French war, in 1764, the 
troubles being nearly at an end, the Brethren in 
Bethlehem considered in what manner to provide 
a settlement for these poor Indians, principally 
Delawares, where they might enjoy more safety. 

It could not be expected they would remain 
long unmolested, in the neighborhood of the merci- 
less whites, and they were therefore advised to 
settle in the Indian country, on the banks of the 
Susquehanna. Application was made to the 
Governor, who gave them permission, and supplied 
them liberally with necessaries "until their new 
planted corn should ripen. ' ' Schmidt and Zeisber- 
ger were appointed to accompany them. On the 
20th of March the Moravian Indian congregation 
commenced their journey across the mountains, 
and swamps, direct to Wyoming ; from thence to 
Machiwilusing, where they arrived on the 9tli of 
May, after a painful pilgrimage of five weeks. 

Machiwilusing was the Indian name for Wyalus- 
ing creek, and has given name to the town. It 
empties into the Susquehanna, a little below 
French Town, on the opposite side of the river. 
Near the mouth of that creek, these Moravians 



Moravian Missions — Wyalusing. 27 

made their missionary establishment in 1765. 
They called it after their old station Friedenshnetten 
or Tents of Peace. It was a village of forty houses, 
built of wood, after the European manner, and 
thirteen Indian huts. In the middle of the street, 
which was eighty feet broad, they built a large and 
neat chapel. The adjoining ground was laid out 
in gardens, and between the town and the river, 
about 250 acres were divided into regular planta- 
tions, for Indian corn. The burying ground was 
situated some distance back of the buildings. 
The mission grounds were about two miles below 
the present village of Wyalusing. 

They were happy and greatly blessed, and pros- 
pered, at their new station, and were often visited 
by people of the Six Nations, many of whom be- 
lieved the word which they heard, and embraced 
their religion, and were baptised. The natives 
heard of them at a great distance, and great num- 
bers were added to them. 

Zeisberger was extensively known among the 
Indians. He understood the Delaware and Iro- 
quois languages, and often attended the great 
councils at Onondaga, where he was treated with 
great respect. They gave him not only liberty to 
settle at Friedenshnetten, but additional liberties 
beyond Tioga. * 

Among other places visited by the mission- 
aries of Machiwilusing, was a town about thirty 
miles up the river called She Shequanunck (Old 
Sheshequin) in which a great awakening took place 

* We have no account of the Moravions having gone farther 
Korth than old Sheshequin. 



28 Eaely Times. 

among the Indians, occasioned by tlie accounts 
from Friedenslmetten, brought by those who visited 
there. At the request of the natives, the mission- 
ary Rothe went to reside among them. His testi- 
mony of Jesus went to their hearts, the audience 
being frequently melted into tears. One of them 
remarked " I would not have wept if my enemies 
had cut the flesh from my bones. That I now 
weep is of God, who has softened the hardness of 
my heart." For some time it appeared as if the 
whole town would turn to the Lord and be con- 
verted. 

The mission at Machiwilusing continued to pros- 
per greatly until the whites increased on each side 
of them, and introduced rum. The difficulties also 
among the Pennsylvania and l^ew England peo- 
ple were a hindrance to them, and the Iroquois 
were prevailed upon to sell all their lands East of 
the Ohio to the white people, and great was the sac- 
rifice to give up their beautiful settlement on 
the Susquehanna. These peaceable, quiet, chris- 
tian Moravian Indians felt compelled to leave 
their *' Tents of Peace" where they had lived seven 
years, and take up their march again westward, 
by the way of Sunbury, through forest and 
marshes, over rivers and mountains, till they arriv- 
ed on the banks of the Ohio, where they met 
brethren under Heckwalder, the Moravian mis- 
sionary, who guided them to their settlement. 
These poor creatures (two hundred and forty in 
number), were seven weeks on their sad journey. 

A Congregational church was formed in AVya- 
lusing in 1794, and was connected with the Luzerne 



Moravian Missions — Wyalusing. 29^ 

Association. Rev. M. M. York preached alter- 
nately at Wyalusing and Wysox, for many years. 
The Association once met at the latter place, in 

the spring of , when Mrs. York, the mother of 

the clergyman, more than seventy years of age, 
residing at Wyalusing, rode across swollen streams 
and over dangerous passes, to be present at this 
assembly. Great surprise was expressed ai her 
courage and heroism, when she replied, "I have 
been praying forty years for the upbuilding of 
Zion, and don't you think I would come to see it." 

Major Taylor's family were identified with the 
church there, and a son of his was a clergyman. 
His daughter was suddenly restored to the use 
of her limbs, in answer to prayer, as was sup- 
posed, after having been unable to walk for 
several years. 

A settlement was made by the white people, 
soon after the close of the Eevolutionary war, 
which they called Wyalusing, from Mackhiwilus- 
ing, the Indian name of the Creek. 

It is a beautiful settlement, about two miles 
above the site of the old Moravian Settlement, 
and contained a population of nearly five hundred 
inhabitants. 

The late C. F. Welles, Esq., removed from To- 
wanda to Wyalusing in 1822. He had been the 
Prothonotary, and Register and Recorder of Brad- 
ford county, from the time its name was changed 
from that of Ontario, March 24, 1812, until 1818, 
when he was succeeded by Geo. Scott and E. 
Mason. 

He married a daughter of Judge Hollenback. 



30 Early Times. 

and was a prominent and talented man. He died 
in 1866. * 



* Justus Lewis, Esq., who resides near Wyalusing, and is about 
82 years of age, has a better knowledge, it is said, of our frontier 
history, than any other man now living, and could no doubt giro 
valuable information to any one who might wish to prepare a more 
extended work. 



III. 



COIsri^ECTIOUT TITLE. 



rpo take a glance of the two states of Coniiecti- 
-* cut and Pennsylvania, as tliey now are, it might 
seem absurd that Connecticut could ever have 
claimed a tract of land over one hundred and 
twenty miles in length, and sixty in breadth, in 
the heart of this well proportioned state. 

The Colony of Connecticut claimed jurisdiction 
by virtue of a charter from Charles 2nd, dated 
April 23, 1662, granting Connecticut that part of 
his dominions in America, beginning at Narra- 
gansett Bay, from the 41st to the 42d degree of 
latitude, in width, and extending west on the same 
parallels of latitude, so far as England then 
owned the granting power, or as some say to the 
Pacific Ocean, supposing the Continent to be very 
narrow. The claims of the Dutch leading down 
to New York Bay, were, of course, excepted, as 
her charter was the oldest. 

The proprietaries of Pennsylvania, on the ground 
of a charter granted to Wm. Penn, in 1681, by the 
same sovereign, claimed all that tract of land in 
America, bounded on the east by the Delaware river, 
from the 40th to the 42d decree of north latitude, 



32 Early Times. 

and to extend west tlirougli five degrees of longitude. 
Within these bounds was included W^^oming^ 
"which," says Colonel Stone, "has been the 
theatre of more historical action, and is invested 
with more historical interest than any other inland 
district of the United States, of equal extent." 

The difficulties arising out of these opposing 
claims, between Connecticut and Pennsylvania, 
were serious and protracted. It was inexcusable 
that a monarch, assigning portions of territory to 
his subjects, should leave so much ground for 
controversy, by granting titles that conflicted with 
each other to so great an extent. 

It was this that caused the trouble between the 
two states and the numerous claimants, and re- 
sulted in civil and disastrous wars. 

Pennsylvania purchased of the Indians the right 
of soil in the province, but did not receive their 
deed until the treaty at Fort Stanwix, in 1768. 

In 1754 the ^Connecticut Susquehanna Company, 
formed at Hartford, purchased of the Six Nations, 
at Albany, the land on the Susquehanna river, be- 
ginning at the 41st degree of North latitude, ten 
miles east of the river ; and from thence, with a 
northerly line, following the river ten miles east of 
the same, to the fort3^-second degree of North lat- 
itude ; and extending two degrees West longitude ; 
from thence south to the 41st degree ; thence east 
to the first mentioned boundary. 

For this the Company paid the Indians the sum 
of two thousand pounds, current money, and the 
deed was signed by eighteen Sachems. * 

* See Miner's history. 



Connecticut Title/ 33 

A gradual emigration was in progress from Con- ' 
necticut many years, thougli interrupted consider- 
ably by the French war ; but in 1769 two hundred 
families, from the eastern part of the State, formed 
a colony and began to remove to the south part of 
the valley, with ministers, and implements of hus- 
bandry, and teachers for their children. After 
many wearisome days in the wilderness, they de- 
scended the mountain and took possession of that 
garden of nature, which had been honorably pur- 
chased of the natives. 

Here, in their delightful Wyoming, these noble 
Christian colonists expected to find a prosperous 
and peaceful home. But scarcely had they taken 
possession, when their claim was contested by the 
Pennsylvanians, whose charter also covered the 
charming valley ; and a terrible conflict ensued. 
The contention was long and sharp ; many lives 
were lost, and the sufferings of the colony were 
great. At three different times they were driven 
from their possessions by the Pennsylvanians ; but 
they returned with increased numbers, supported 
by Connecticut, and established themselves strong- 
ly. They called their territory the County of 
Westmoreland, and for nine years sent representa- 
tives to the Legislature of Connecticut. They were 
a happy people among themselves, had civil and 
religious privileges, and all the enjoyments of re- 
fined social life. Their Puritan habits have blessed 
succeeding generations. Many clergymen, states- 
men, teachers, missionaries, and other eminent 
Christian men and women, have sprung from this 
stock. 



34 Early Times. 

Chief- Justice Tilgliman states that "the unfor- 
tunate controversy between Connecticut and Penn- 
sylvania was attended with riot, disorder and blood- 
shed, which continued until the commencement of 
the Revolutionary war, when the Congress of the 
United States, fearing the consequences which 
might result from a dispute of so serious a nature 
between two powerful States, recommended that 
all acts of force should be abstained from, and 
each person should remain in possession of the 
land occupied by him, until a proper season should 
come for determining the matter on principles of 
justice. This recommendation was complied with. 
The Connecticut settlers were the most numerous, 
and held possession during the war, in the course 
of which they suffered great hardships, and lost 
many lives ; being on a remote frontier, much ex- 
posed to the attacks of the British and Indians."* 

While the struggle with Great Britain was in pro- 
gress, in which Wyoming took an active part, 
there was comparative quiet between the Connecti- 
cut and Pennsylvania claimants ; but scarcely was 
our independence acknowledged, when the conten- 
tion about lands revived. It was found necessary 
that a subject of so much weight should be 
decided by a court established by Congress of 

* The fiery trials through which they passed, at the time of the 
invasion by the Tories and Indians, in 1778, cannot be better de- 
scribed than in the petition of Samuel Gore, for a pension, in his 
advanced age. He was a brother of Judge Gore, and kindly pre- 
sented me with a copy of his petition, written with his own hand, 
near the close of his life. IIo bad often visited us, and entertained 
U3 with his account of the Revolutionary _ war, and the battle ^of 
"Wyoming. 



Connecticut Title. 35 

Commissioners from the two contending states. 
They met at Trenton, N, J., in the month of De- 
cember, 1782. The parties proceeded with their 
pleas, and after many days the court decided that 
the right of jurisdiction belonged to Pennsylvania, 
and that the judicial power of Connecticut over 
Wyoming should cease. In this the Commission- 
ers from each state acquiesced. It is supposed 
there was this understanding between the two 
states, from a conviction of its policy. 

Mr. Miner says, ''there is no doubt that the 
decision of Trenton was made on grounds of 
policy, and not of rigM. It was not designed, 
however, to aifect the private right of soil. Im- 
mediately after this decree, Connecticut withdrew 
its jurisdiction, and the county of Westmoreland 
ceased to exist. 

"The claims of Connecticut, west of Pennsyl- 
vania, were all ceded to Congress, excepting the 
Western Reserve, or N'ew Connecticut, and she 
received the United States letters patent for that 
tract." 

"The Pennsylvanians continued to treat the 
Connecticut settlers with severity, which induced 
the Assembly to pass an act, to restore to them 
the possessions from which they had been forcibly 
removed. On the 28th of March, 1787, an act was 
passed called the Confirming Act, ratifying the 
title of lands in their possession, prior to the decree 
of Trenton. 

This law was not satisfactory to either party, 
and was repealed April 1st, 1790. On the 4th of 
April, 1799, an act was passed called the Com- 



36 Early Times. 

promising Act, ''offering compensation to the 
Pennsylvania settlers, within the seventeen town- 
ships of Luzerne. The object of this act was to of- 
fer a reasonable compensation in money to such 
Pennsylvania claimants as were willing to release 
their rights, in order that the Commonwealth, hav- 
ing thus regained the title, might confirm the es- 
tates of the Connecticut settlers, at a moderate 
price, fixed by Commissioners, who were author- 
ized to give certificates to Connecticut claimants 
for no other land than such as may have been 
released by the Pennsylvania claimants. This 
title was confirmed by paying for first-class lands 
two dollars per acre ; second-class, one dollar and 
twenty cents ; third-class, fifty cents ; fourth-class, 
eight and one-quarter cents. 

To induce the Pennsylvania claimants to release, 
the Commissioners were authorized to classify the 
land, giving certificates to them ; first-class lands 
to be paid for at the rate of five dollars per acre, 
etc. 

On the 6th of April, 1802, a supplement was 
passed to the act of 1799, wliich gave to the Com- 
missioners authority to certify to Connecticut 
claimants the title to their lands, whether released 
by the Pennsylvania claimant or not ; forbidding 
recovery of the lands by the Pennsylvania claim- 
ant, and giving, him a right of action against the 
Commonwealth for the value of his land. 

By the act of 1807, all Pennsylvania claimants 
were admitted who had acquired title prior to the 
first confirming law, of March, 1787, and Connecti- 
cut claimants were not required to show that the 



Gore\s Petition. 37 

lands were occupied before the decree of Trenton. 
In the case of Mrs. Mathewson in the contest 
with J. F. Satterlee, Mrs. M. had taken out a war- 
rant in 1812, and claimed an improvement back to 
1785, under Connecticut title, (she having no certi- 
ficate from the Commissioners,) and therefore had 
no title recognized by the laws of Pennsylvania 
to the date of her warrant, (1812.) Mr. Satterlee 
had purchased an old Pennsylvania title, going 
back to 1769, and had taken a lease of Mrs. 
Mathewson, after which an act of Assembly was 
passed, which allowed Mrs. M. to hold him as 
tenant. The same principles, when applied, will 
explain other cases also. "^ 



the petition of samuel gore, esq. 

*' January, 1832. 
' ' To the Honorable the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives of the United States^ in Congress 
assembled^ at the City of Washington : 
^'The petition and memorial of Samuel Gore, of 
Sheshequin Township, Bradford County, Penn- 
sylvania, humbly showeth : 

"That your petitioner's request is of a singular 
nature, difiering from the common case of those 
who served in the War of the Kevolution ; was not 
engaged for any limited time ; that he resided at 

* The above statements have been furnished by a legal gentleman 
for this work. 



38 Early Times. 

Wyoming Settlement at the commencement of the 
late Revolutionary War ; that in the year 1777, in 
the month of May, he was enrolled in the militia 
of Captain Aholiab Buck's company, and took 
the oath of allegiance, to be true and faithful to 
the cause then at issue ; that in December, the 
same year, he was draughted on a tour of duty up 
the river, as far as Wysox and Towanda ; the 
command he was attached to took twenty-eight 
prisoners, men that had served under General 
Burgoyne, the preceding campaign ; that in the 
year 1778 the Settlement was in almost continual 
alarm, the fore part of the season ; and what 
added mostly to our fears was, that three com- 
panies of soldiers had been enlisted in the Settle- 
ment, and had joined the main army of Wash- 
ington. 

^^The militia that was left was on duty the 
principal part of the time, in fortifying, scouting, 
and learning the military discipline, till the month 
of July, when the settlement was invaded by the 
British and Indians, under the command of Colo- 
nel John Butler and Brandt, the Indian Chief. 

^'Your petitioner was in the memorable battle 
and massacre of Wyoming, and narrowly escaped 
the fate of five brethren, the officers, and principal 
part of the Company to which he belonged. 

^ • I ddition to his misfortune, in running across 
a bay or morass, the Indians in close pursuit, every 
step over the knee in mud and mire, by over exer- 
tion, caused a breach in his body, which has been 
a painful and troublesome disorder ever since. 

''It is unnecessary to describe the entire de- 



Gore's Petition. 39 

struction of the settlement, by the enemy, the dis- 
persions and hardships of the fugitives. Old men, 
women and children, fleeing through the wilder- 
ness, carrying with them scarcely enough to sup- 
port nature by the way. 

''The place was retaken in August or Septem- 
ber following, by Colonel Zebulon Butler and 
Captain Simon Spalding, and a garrison replaced 
there. Your petioner returned soon after, and 
served as a volunteer, during the years of 1779, 
1780 and 1781, and was subject to be called on, in 
every case of emergency, 

''The expedition of General Sullivan to the 
Gennesse country, did not prevent wholly, the 
depredations of the enemy, being frequently har- 
assed by small parties. In the year 1782 Captain 
Spalding's company was' called to join the main 
army, at headquarters, and a company of invalids 
was stationed at the post, commanded by a Cap- 
tain Mitchel, soldiers that were not calculated for 
the woods, scouting, etc. Colonel Dennison gave 
orders to have the militia organized and classed, 
which took place. 

' ' John Franklin was chosen Captain. Your pe- 
titioner was appointed a Sergeant, and had the 
command of a class, which was ordered to be ready 
at the shortest notice,- to scout the woods, and to 
follow any party of the enemy that should be sent 
on their murderous excursions. That he performed 
four tours of scouting that season, of about eight 
days each. 

" Your petitioner never drew any pay, clothing 
or rations, during the contest for Independence, 



40 Early Times. 

but ammunition, he was supplied with from the 
continental store. 

"Had the charge of the family at the time, (his 
father being dead) ; had to support himself as well 
as he could, by laboring between spells, and fre- 
quently plougliing with his musket slung at his 
back. ^ 

" Being informed by the newspapers, that a bill' 
has passed the House of Kepresentatives, by a 
large majority, to compensate all those that were 
enlisted in the service of their country from three 
months to six, and nine ; to compensate according 
to 'the time of their engagement, let their circum- 
stances be what they may. Encouraged by the 
liberality and generosity of our National legis- 
lators, I take the liberty to request of your Honor- 
able Body, to take my case into consideration ; and 
if you, in your wisdom and justice, should think 
that your petitioner is entitled to any remunera- 
tion, to do what you may think right and just ;. 
and your petitioner will ever pray." 

A letter addressed to Philander Stephens, Esq.,, 
a Member of Congress, was fglded within the pe- 
tition, which I also copy : 

" Sheshequitt, April 3, 1832. 
"Philander Stephens, 'Esq.— Dear Sir: I 
have been waiting with considerable anxiety, for 
some time, expecting to hear from you, as I think 
you promised to write to me. I would take it as 
a favor, if you would inform me what is the pros- 
pect of the bill for the general compensation of old 
soldiers and volunteers of the Revolution ; whether 



Gore's Petition. 41 

it is like to pass the Senate, the present session ; 
also whether you have presented my petition, and 
if any encouragement therefrom. Some cheering 
information on this subject would revive my 
spirits, which have been almost exhausted during 
the severity of the past winter— rthe hardest I have 
experienced since the return of Sullivan's expe- 
dition to the Indian country, in the year 1779. 

**0n reflecting back in these trying times, I 
would state some particulars respecting our family, 
at the commencement of the Kevolution. My 
father had seven sons, all zealously engaged in 
the cause of liberty. Himself an acting magis- 
trate, and a committee of safety, watching the dis- 
affected and encouraging the loyal part of the 
community. 

*' Three of his sons, and two sons-in-law, fell in 
the Wyoming massacre. Himself died the winter 
following. One son served during the war, the 
others served in the Continental army for shorter 
periods. 

' ' Let any person at this time of general prosperity 
of our country, reflect back on the troubles, trials 
and suffering of a conquered country by a savage 
enemy. Men scalped and mangled in the most 
savage manner. Some dead bodies floating down 
the river in sight of the garrison. Women col- 
lecting together in groups; screaming and wringing 
their hands, in the greatest agony ; some swoon- 
ing and. deprived of their senses. Property of 
every description plundered and destroyed, build- 
ings burned, the surviving inhabitants dispersed, 
and driven through the wilderness, to seek subsis- 



42 Eaely Times. 

tence wherever they could find it. This, sir, is a 
faint description of Wyoming destruction in 1778. 
The savages continued their depredations in a 
greater or less degree, until 1782. 

" Lest I intrude on your patience, will conclude. 
' ' I am, with respect, your humble servant, 

" Samuel GtOEe." 

The venerable man received his pension and was 
much comforted by it during his surviving years. 
He died in 1836. The petition and letter are copied 
verbatim. 

While the battle was raging, and the women and 
children were in the fort for protection, Mrs. Gore, 
the anxious mother, was watching at the door of 
the fort, to hear the first report that should arrive ; 
she was told by one who approached her, that 
three of her sons, Ealph, Silas and George, were 
slain ; and that John Murphy and Timothy Pierce, 
her two sons-in-law, were lying by them all 
scalped, tomahawked, and mangled corpses ! Who 
can conceive the agony of this mother as she ex- 
claimed, ''Have I cf7ie son left?" She died many 
years ago, and a monument has recently been set 
over her grave, together with that of her son, Oba- 
diah Gore, and his wife, by three grandchildren 
and great-grandchildren. 

The next day after the* battle, when the fort was 
pillaged, all the feather-beds that could be found, 
the labor of many a careful mother and daughter, 
were carried out near the bank of the river, and 
there opened, and for the merriment of the sava- 
ges, and the feathers scattered to the winds. 



Gore's Petition. 43 

They went to Mr. Gore' s house, bnilt a fire in the 
hall, and stood by it until it was enveloped in 
flames, and the distressed family dared not whis- 
per an objection. The feathers of the ^' Wyoming 
Bed" were gathered up by the children of the 
family, placed in the first case they could find, and 
secreted while the Indians were sacking the fort. 

There was great wailing as one after another 
came in, bringing appalling reports from the bat- 
tle-field, while the savages were entertaining them- 
selves by a general conflagration of the buildings 
in the settlement, and the despamng inhabitants 
were fleeing. 

In their terror, dismay and haste, the family 
procured a horse, threw this bed across it, and 
started for the Delaware, seventy miles thi'ough 
the wilderness, called the '^ Shades of Death." 
The old people and the little ones rode alternately, 
and thus they pressed on their way, in hushed 
silence. One of the children hurt her unprotected 
feet, and cried aloud. From terrible necessity, the 
heavy-hearted mother said, ' 'Stop crying, child, the 
Indians will be after us." The little girl was quiet, 
and trudged along without complaining. There 
were scenes of suffering among the fugitives all 
the way, such as cannot be described. Hunger, 
sickupss, and death, were common. 

An infant child of Mrs. Fish died on the way. 
The mother could not bury it in the wilderness lest 
the wolves might devour it. She therefore carried 
it in her arms twenty miles to a German settlement, 
where it was buried. 

An aged lady of 85, who has just died, said she 



44 Eaely Times. 

was born in Mr. Stroud's barn, on the way to Del- 
aware, just after the massacre, and there were many 
such oases. 

The Wyoming Bed was ever an object of great 
interest to the children, and often, while making 
it, and turning it over, we imagined an Indian 
inside of it, and springing to the floor, would make 
rapid flight, with more than fancied terror. 

The bed has been preserved, and is still among 
our treasures. Little Frances Slocum, five years 
old, was taken from her mother' s side, carried into 
perpetual captivity, and never heard from until 
she became so accustomed to In^dian life, that she 
preferred it to that of returning to live with her 
friends, who, heard from her, and went to her after 
a separation of near sixty years, and endeavored 
to persuade her to return to her friends, at Wyom- 
ing. But no arguments could prevail with her to 
go home with them. She preferred to be the In- 
dian Queen of the Miamees. The language seemed 
to be : 

"Let me stay at my home iu the beautiful West, 
Where I playei when a child: in my age let me rest, 
Where the brigKt prairies bloom, and the wild waters play, 
In the home of my heart, dearest friend, let me stay." 

Her own account of her captivity was, "After 
the Indians took me to the woods, *Tack Horse,' 
dressed my hair in Indian fashion, and painted 
my face ; he then dressed me up, and put on me 
beautiful wampum beads, and make me look very 
fine. They were very kind to me." Thus she 
was diverted, and as they were passing up the 
river, in the canoe, to Tioga, where they took 



Gore's Petition. 45 

their captives ; this little one was allowed to amuse 
herself by paddling in the water, and when on 
land to practice with her little bow and arrow, for 
entertainment. In 1789 Mrs. Slocum made a jour- 
ney to Tioga Point, hoping to find her child among 
some prisoners who were to be surrendered — but 
she found her not. 

Frances died in 1847, and had a Christian burial, 
at the '^Deaf Man's Village," near Fort Thayne, 
Indiana. This touching account is given at length 
in Mr. Pike' s history of Wyoming. 



IV 



QUEEISr ESTHEE. 



THE history of Queen Esther is one of remark- 
able interest. She led the Indians into the fort at 
the time it was surrendered ; and presided at the 
fatal ring, of which Mrs. Durkee, an aged aunt, 
gives the following account : ^^ Fifteen or sixteen of 
our men, who had been taken prisoners by the 
Indians, were assembled to receive their death- 
blow, by the hand of Queen Esther, a large, 
middle-aged Seneca squaw, who had such honors 
assigned her. 

^'In this case, it was thought to be revenge for 
the death of her son, who was killed by the 
whites. 

'^ Some of the prisoners made their escape from 
the ring ; others attempted it, but were unsuccess- 
ful. Among these, was George Gore, who had 
broken through the ring, and ran for the river, 
but was overtaken by an Indian, who, with his 
knife and tomahawk, cut him to pieces. He was 
an active and handsome young man. His hat was 
picked up and taken to his friends at the fort." 

The remaining twelve or more were murdered 
with the tomahawk, by the hand of this savage 



QuEEis^ Esther. 47 

Queen, on tlie *' Bloody Eock," which may still* 
be seen. 

Queen Esther's residence was near Tioga Point. 
Her village was of considerable size, two or three 
miles below the present village of Athens, on the 
west side of the river, and within the township. 
It is said it contained about seventy houses, of 
rude form. 

An expedition to Tioga was planned by Colonel 
Heartly, in September, after the battle, to destroy 
Indian towns and break up their hiding places. 

With a small array of soldiers, they marched 
on their hazardous way toward Sheshequnnunck, 
where they took fifteen prisoners, killed and 
scalped ^a chief, and the rest fled. They made 
valuable discoveries, and moved rapidly towards 
Tioga Point. ^ 

Captain Spalding, afterwards known among us 
as General Spalding, of Sheshequin, had com- 
mand of the 2nd division-. They were told 
that young Butler, a Tory, with his Royal Greens, 
had just fled from Tioga with 300 men, toward 
Chemung, 14 miles off, where they were fortifying, 
and were 1,000 strong. Colonel Hartley was not 
prepared to meet them, and after burning Tioga, 
Queen Esther' s town, and palace, and all the ^In- 
dian settlements in his way, crossing the ^'She- 
shequin Path," he returned to Sunbury, where a 
vote of thanks was passed for Colonel Hartley and 
his brave me^i. 

Captain Spalding is spoken of as having 
been efficient in that enterprise. They ac- 
complished much, and brought speedy retri- 



48 Eaely Times. 

"bution upon Queen Esther and her associates, 
for the untold misery they had inflicted upon 
Wyoming three months before. 

Though savage in time of war, Queen Esther 
was represented as quiet and trustful in time of 
peace. After the war closed she was often pass- 
ing from Tioga to Onondaga, unprotected. One 
time while Mrs. Durkee was residing in Scipio, IST. 
Y., she came to her house in the evening, on her 
way to Onondaga, with a sister, who was much 
intoxicated, carrying a papoose upon her back, 
and inquired in broken English, if they could 
stay there through the night and sleep on the 
kitchen floor ; Mrs. D. being well acquainted with 
her, she was permitted to stay until morning, and 
then went on her way. It has excited some won- 
der how this Indian Queen came by her. Jewish 
name. If, as some suppose, the Indians have de- 
scended from the lost tribes of Israel, it might 
thus be. accounted for, or what is more probable, 
she might have derived it from the Moravian Mis- 
sionaries, who had many stations among them, 
and whose names they often adopted. She mar- 
ried Tom Hill, an Indian as forbidding as herself, 
and after she left Tioga she went to Onondaga to 
re^de. 

Some writers have identified Catharine Monteur 
with Queen Esther, of Bloody Rock notoriety ; 
others say this is improbable, and that the general 
supposition concerning Catharine, is, -that she was 
the daughter of an early French Governor of Can- 
ada, taken captive when a child, afterwards be- 
coming the wife of a Seneca Chief, and was a lady 



Queen Esthee. 49 

of comparative refinement. Her residence was at 
Seneca Lake. The Indian village called Catha 
rine' s town, named for her, was destroyed by Sul- 
livan' s army. She subsequently lived at Niagara. 



SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION IN 1779 



rpHE horrors perpetrated by the Tories and In- 
-*- dians at Wyoming, aroused great indignation in 
the American people, and Congress determined to 
send a military force into their country, that would 
prevent further hostilities from them. General Sul- 
livan was placed in command, with three thousand 
five hundred men. His orders from the Comman- 
der-in-Chief of the American army were to move 
from Wyoming, up the valley, to Tioga Point, 
there to be reinforced by General James Clinton, 
with near two thousand men. Washington gave 
orders, contrary to his usual custom, to treat the 
Indians with great severity, as the surest means 
to bring them to terms of peace. 

They were several days before arriving at their 
place of destination, with an arraj^ of boats and 
packhorses, sufficient for their accommodation. 
After crossing the river from Sheshequin to Queen 
Esther' s fiats, they arrived near where her palace 
stood, which was destroyed by Colonel Hartley's 
detachment the September previous. August 12th 
they moved across the Tioga river near the point 
of land where the Tioga and Susquehanna rivers 



Sullivan's Expedition. 51 

meet. Marching up through what is now called 
the Welles farm, they encamped on the narrowest 
spot of the peninsula, near the bridge, about 190 
yards across, and erected a temporary fort, which 
they called Fort Sullivan, for the garrison of 250 
men, who were to remain there during the cam- 
paign. The fort was in the form of a diamond, 
extending from one rise of ground to the other, 
north and south, and from one river to the other, 
east and west, guardhouses being at each point.* 
Many persons now living remember its location. 
Bullets have been found in quantities, and several 
cannon balls, one of which was found as late as 
1830, within the bounds of the fort, and is among 
our curiosities. Indian pestles, stone hatchets 
and arrow points have frequently been found, 
which denote where the savages have lived. 

They waited several days for General Clinton 
and his army, then at Otsego Lake, from whence 
they descended the Susquehanna river, with 200 
boats, by means of an artificial freshet, caused by 
throwing a dam across the outlet of the lake, and 
raising the water. When the dam was removed, it 
afforded them water sufficient to transport down 
the river, their ordnance, stores and troops. 

They arrived at Tioga Point August 22d, and 
joined the army of Sullivan, under a salute cf 
guns, with shouts and great rejoicing. The two 
armies united amounted to more than 5,000 men. 

It is interesting to look back ninety years, and 
notice what was passing here at that time. Chief 
Justice Marshal states that the whole army of 

♦These pages were written within the bounds of Fort Sullivan. 



*52 Eaelt Times. 

Washington amounted to about 16,000 men. Be- 
hold nearly one-third of tliem, marshalled on this 
point of land, between the rivers, preparing to 
move upon the savage foe, protected by a fort, 
where a vast quantity of provisions was stored for 
a large army. Behold near 2,000 packhorses 
grazing hereabouts, across the river, and 400 
barges lying at our shores. Scouts were being 
sent out over these hills and up these rivers to as- 
certain the strength of the enemy. Listen to the 
firing of the Revolutionary muskets, and the for- 
midable artillery echoing from mountain to moun- 
tain, to intimidate the enemy lurking about the 
hills, and hiding in the thicket of the pine plains 
above. Behold the martial array of the army, 
the music of the fife and drum, and the *' For- 
ward March" of the commander of the Western 
army. Their scouts had discovered an Indian vil- 
lage up the Tioga about fourteen miles, and the 
army were in haste to reduce it. They proceeded 
up the river cautiously, for they knew they were 
moving upon a powerful foe, led by the detested 
John Butler and Johnson Tories, and Brandt, the 
wily Indian Chief, 

Colonel Hartley remarks, that "Chemung was 
the receptacle of all villainous Indians and Tories 
from the different tribes and States." Their en- 
gagement at Chemung was successful. They 
routed the enemy, destroyed their village, cut 
down their fruit trees, corn and vegetables, which, 
by the assistance of their Tory friends, they had 
in abundance, and laid everything waste. It was 
supposed that very many of the Indians were 



Sullivan's Expedition. 53 

slain, and many of them drowned in the river. 
The first engagement was at Chemung, another at 
Baldwin, then at the Narrows, where the enemy 
met with a great defeat. Captain Spalding and 
Colonel Franklin were in the thickest of the fight, 
and were both wounded. The army returned to 
Tioga to report victory. About thirty men fell in 
the battle. Colonel Hubley took those who were 
killed in his regiment, six in number, placed them 
on horses and brought them to this place for inter- 
ment ; and on the Saturday following, the bodies 
of those brave veterans were interred, with military 
honors. Parson Rogers, Chaplain, delivered a 
discourse on the occasion, probably the first 
Christian burial ever attended at Tioga Point. 
What a mournful procession must that have been, 
bearing those gallant dead to their place of burial. 
Where the precise spot is, who can tell ? We are 
reminded that we are too late with our history, to 
have many scenes of interest recorded, and they 
must necessarily be omitted. A generation ago, 
there were many officers and soldiers living among 
us, who would gladly have entertained a listener 
with their thrilling accounts. Peace to the ashes of 
those men ! let them rest unknown and undisturbed. 

After some days of preparation, at Fort Sullivan, 
the army took up their line of march, to pursue 
the enemy further into the Indian country. 

From Tioga Point they moved to the upper end 
of ^' Tioga Flats," near the first Narrows and 
Spanish Hill, where they encamped for the night. 
The next morning they found a fording place for 
the artillery, pack horses and cattle, to cross the 



54 Early Times. 

Chemung river. As the very naLrrow path on the 
north side of the river made it impracticable for 
them to pass, they crossed to the south side of the 
river, and after marching about a mile and a half, 
crossed again, and formed a junction with the 
Brigades of Generals Poor and Clinton, who had 
taken their route with much difficulty over the 
mountain on the north side of the river. Colonel 
Hubley says in his journal : ''The prospect from 
the summit of this mountain is most beautiful. 
We had a view of the country at least twenty 
miles around. The fine, extensive plains, inter- 
spersed with streams of water, made the prospect 
pleasing and elegant." 

They pursued the course they had taken before, 
as far as Newtown (now Elmira), when they turned 
toward the Genesee countrj^, burning the Indian 
villages, destroying vast quantities of corn, and 
laying the country desolate.. 

They returned by the way of Seneca Lake and 
"Catharine town," the residence of Catharine 
Monteur. They killed many of their worn out 
horses at what is called Horseheads, and arrived 
at Newtown. Thence they returned to Tioga 
Point, their place of rendezvous. There they were 
joyfully saluted by the garrison, had a sumptuous 
repast prepared by Colonel Shreive, enlivened by 
the music of the fife and drum. They had driven off 
the Indians, released many captives, and "Sulli- 
van had strictly executed the severe but necessary 
orders he had received, to render the country un- 
inhabitable, and had compelled the hostile Indians 
to remove to a greater distance. ' ' 



Sullivan's Expedition. 55 

That Tioga Point was a place of importance in 
those days, is obvious. Here were the headquar- 
ters of this great army. Here they concentrated 
their forces. Here were their fort and supplies, 
and here they sent back their sick to recruit, and 
their dead for burial. Here they returned after 
their success in the Indian country, and here again 
they dispersed and sailed joyfully down the Sus- 
quehanna to Wyoming, and from thence reported 
at headquarters (Easton), ''a successful expedi- 
tion against the Indians. ' ' 

One of the Oneida Indians was a faithful guide 
in this expedition. He was taken prisoner, how- 
ever, and cruelly put to death. 

The time employed in this work of devastation 
was less than two months, and the number of men 
slain, and lost by sickness, amounted to only 
about forty. 



VI. 



MATTHIAS HOLLEI^AOK. 



MR. Miner supposes Mr. HoUenback to be a na- 
tive of Virginia. But Mr. Peck, of later daj, 
on the authority of Mr. H.'s family, records his 
birth at Jonestown, Lancaster county, Pa. 

Mr. H. came to Wyoming at an early period of 
its settlement by Connecticut people, and identi- 
tified himself with its interests, and was valiant 
for the defense of the settlers, whose cause he 
considered just. But after the decision of the 
Court of Trenton, he yielded to it, and was always 
a faithful subject of the laws of Pennsylvania. 
He was well known among the brave and gener- 
ous, in those days that tried men' s souls ; a man 
of the common height, but stout, remarkably ac- 
tive, enterprising and successful in business, and 
possessing strong powers of mind. 

At the close of the Revolutionary war in 1783, 
Mr. HoUenback was employed by the government 
to supply the Indians, according to treaty, with 
articles they might need, such as broaches, beads, 
blankets and whiskey, and made his first estab- 
lishment quite into the Indian country, at New- 
town, a little below Elmira. John Shepard, my 



Matthias Hollenback. 57 

father, was his clerk in 1784. It was there an In- 
dian who became offended with Mr. Hollenback, 
made an attempt upon his life. He came into the 
store quite intoxicated, with his long knife con- 
cealed nnder his blanket, while Hollenback was 
writing at his desk. He drew near to him, and 
when preparing to make a plunge, young Shepard, 
who had been watching him, saw his knife, and 
suspecting his design, and having an ax helve in 
his hand, came up behind him, and struck the In- 
dian a heavy blow on his arm, when the knife 
dropped and the assassin made his escape. 

Before the country was jnuch settled by white 
people, Mr. Hollenback established stores in 
many places along the Susquehanna River. He 
came to Tioga Point in 1783. He first occu- 
pied a small temporary building, connected with 
the house of Mr. Alexander, on a cross street 
from the Chemung to the Susquehanna Kiver, on 
the east side of the main street, just above the 
Chemung bridge, opposite the ferry, and near 
where Mr. Samuel Hepburne's store was, on 
the Susquehanna River. The pine trees were 
growing quite down into the village, but where 
these stores stood was cleared ground and 
meadow. Being near the site of Fort Sullivan, 
it is supposed that the ground having been more 
occupied, the low brush had not sprung up. 
The fort is said to have been built of earth and 
pine brush. 

Mr. Hollenback built his store on the corner of 
the lot adjoining the public square, about the time 
the town was laid out, in 1786. Yery many re- 



68 Early Times. 

member this large, two-story building of hewn 
logs, in later days clapboarded, to give it a more 
modern appearance. It was a house and store to- 
gether. The store was a long room, on the south 
side. On the north were a parlor, sitting-room 
and kitchen. The upper rooms were pleasant and 
airy, and all the rooms had corner fire-places, built 
^f stone. This building might furnish material for 
a histor}'- by itself. 'No pen has recorded the num 
ber of births, deaths and marriages that have 
taken place in that one tenement. Some of the 
elite of our country have dwelt there. Congress- 
men, judges, lawyers, teachers, merchants, farm- 
ers and mechanics, have helped successively to 
make up the inmates of this antiquated dwelling. 

It was here Mr. Hollenback opened his ''new 
store," with its variety and attractions ; dry goods 
and groceries for the whites, and beads, broaches 
and blankets for the Indians, and rum for both. 
Mr. Daniel McDowell was clerk. 

The country was greatly accommodated by these 
early merchants. Many choice and useful arti- 
cles were brought up the river from Philadelphia, 
in boats for '' Hollenback' s store," and so great 
was the importance of this establishment, that let- 
ters to individuals were addressed to '' Hollen- 
back' s store," and the town itself was known 
more by that name than any other. 

The Indians did not all flee before Sullivan's 
army. Many that were feeble or peaceable were 
allowed to remain. It is related that at Catharine, 
the army found an aged Indian woman, alone and 
destitute. They built her a cabin, provided wood 



Matthias Hollenback. 59 

and provisions for her, and tound lier there when 
they returned. 

After the treaty of peace with Great Britain, 
many of the natives came back to their hunting 
and fishing ground. It was hard to leave the 
lands they had inherited from their fathers. In a 
little time they became insolent and troublesome ; 
and when stimulated by strong drink they were 
dangerous neighbors. At one time when Mr. H. 
was in his store, an Indian threw a brand of fire 
through a broken window on a barrel of gunpow- 
der. With instant thought, young Shepard, who 
was now clerk at this place, seized the brand, 
picked off the coals, and brushed off the flashing 
powder, scattered on the head of the barrel, and 
thus saved them all from sudden destruction. 

Judge HoUenback has often been heard to say, 
that ^' brave John Shepard had twice saved his 
life." They were friends in after life, and always 
seemed happy to meet and recount early times and 
adventures. 

Mr. HoUenback was not long stationary at one 
place. It was enough to employ his time, to go 
from one trading post to another, and leave his 
business with efficient clerks. But he continued 
to make improvements at Tioga Point. He dug a 
well near his large ''house and store" which still 
supplies water, "sparkling and bright." He 
planted apple trees, some of which now stand, and 
bear fruit, and are ornaments on that beautiful 
lot. May the trees and the well long remain ! He 
built a tenant house of logs on the same lot near 
the south line, which has accommodated many a 



60 Early Times. 

family. Some have lived in good style in these 
buildings, mth neatly pa^^ere'd rooms, carpeted 
floors, and handsome drapery. He also built a 
storehouse on the bank of the Chemung river, 
which accommodated the merchants generally. 
From there was heard the boat horn, sounding 
long and loud, more than half a century ago, 
announcing the arrival of new goods, which pro- 
duced greater sensation among the inhabitants 
than the arrival of cars at the depot at later date. 
The old storehouse at length became useless, was 
undermined by the water, and finally was set on 
fire, and vanished from our sight. The tenant 
house began tc decay, and was torn down, and in 
1849 the ''Hollenback house and store" was de- 
liberately torn down, and the cellar filled up, be- 
ing about 63 years since it was built. 

John Jacob Astor once proposed a partnership 
in the fur trade with Mr. HoUenback, but having 
sufiicient business to engage him on the Susque- 
hanna, Mr. H. declined. 

After many years they met, and Mr. Astor in- 
timated to Mr. HoUenback that he^ would take care 
of his son, if he would send him to him, to 
which he replied, "I thank you, sir; he can take 
care of himself." Which proved true in the pros- 
perous life of George M. HoUenback. 

In 1793, at the time of the revolution in France^ 
Colonel HoUenback was employed by the Gov- 
ernor of Pennsylvania, the agent of Louis VI., 
to provide a place of retreat for the royal family 
of France, at some secluded spot on the Susque- 
hanna. He purchased a tract of land in Luzerne, 



Matthias Hollenback. 61 

now Bradford county, which they called Asylum, 
to which place a large number of French families 
fled for protection, and where several of their de- 
scendants still remain. 



VII. 



ISTEW SHESHEQUIK 



A T the time of Sullivan' s march up the valley of 
-^ Wyoming, as the army passed through Sheshe- 
qnin valley, Captain Simon Spalding, who com- 
manded a company, was much pleased with the ap- 
pearance and location of the place, and resolved to 
make that his future residence. Captain Spalding 
was a native of Plainfield, Conn. He was born in 
1741, married Rutli Shepard, and removed to Wy- 
oming at an early period of its settlement, and died 
at Sheshequin, in 1814. He was a large man, of 
fine personal appearance. He was a captain in 
the Hevolutionary w^ar, and was constituted Gen- 
eral in the militia after he removed to Sheshequin. 
He with his family, and several of his neighbors, 
removed from Wyoming to Sheshequin, in May 
1783. This beautiful valley was at that time cov- 
ered with Indian grass, five or six feet high, to 
which these pioneers set fire, which ran through 
the valley about four miles. General Spalding, 
with his numerous sons and daughters, sons-in-law 
and daughters-in-law, occupied the upper part of 
the valley. The sons were John and Chester. 
John married Wealthy Gore, daughter of Obadiah 



i 



New Sheshequin. 63 

Gore, Esq. Chester married Sarah Tyler, sister of 
Francis Tyler, of Athens. 

The daughters were : Mrs. Joseph Kinney, Mrs. 
Moses Park, Mrs. William Spalding, mother of 
the late Robert Spalding, and Mrs. Briggs, well 
known among us, and Mrs. Kingsbury, wife of 
Colonel Joseph Kingsbury, known as a prominent 
surveyor and agent. 

These all had large and uncommonly fine look- 
ing families. 

Other families were added to the number : Mr. 
Fuller, Mr. Hoyt, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Snyder, and 
Mr. Shaw, father of the surviving son, now over 
ninety-four years of age. 

These families all had pleasant farms allotted 
them, extending from the river back to the moun- 
tain. They first bought of the Susquehanna Com- 
pany, under Connecticut title, in which state they 
enjoyed peace, quietness and prosperity, and were 
able also to meet the Pennsylvania claim, hard as 
they might have felt it to be, when it was pre- 
sented. 

They found in this beautiful valley, a variety of 
nuts and wild frnit, plums and cranberries. In a 
few short years, their presses began to burst forth 
with new cider, and their barns with plenty. 
Their butter and cheese, their pork and beans, 
Indian bread and honey, were not surpassed in 
their own native Connecticut. 

John Spalding, oldest son of General Spalding, 
was appointed Colonel of Militia, and was well 
situated on a fine farm of his own, and one pre- 
sented to his wife by her father, joining his. Colo- 



64 Early Times. 

nel Spalding had an erect and stately figure, was 
lively in his manner, and proud of his wife and of 
his children, fourteen in number. Visitors were 
sometimes amused, when inquiryrwas made how- 
many children they had. One of them would say, 
'^ Harry, Billy, Noah, Dyer, Simon, Sally, Ulysses, 
Wealthy, George, John, Charley, Zebulon, Avery, 
and Mary. They all grew up to be fine, stately 
sons and daughters ; but the mother outlived all 
but two, Mrs. G-eneral Wells and Mr. Zebulon B. 
Spalding, who reside with us. 

Joseph Kinney, Esq., from Killingly, Conn., 
one of the sons-in-law, was a man of intelligence 
and reading. Some of his descendants have par- 
taken of his spirit, and have been noted for their 
literary turn. There have been among them pro- 
fessional men, editors and statesmen. 

Mrs. Julia Scott, deceased, daughter of the late 
George Kinney, Esq., of Sheshequin, wrote much, 
and published a volume of poems, which showed 
a refined taste and cultivated mind, and her name 
has found a place in a volume of American poets. 
She died at Towanda, in 1842. 

Obadiah Gore was born in Norwich, Conn., 
1744, and came to Wyoming with the early 
settlers. He was the eldest son of Obadiah Gore, 
Esq., who had seven sons engaged in the Revolu- 
tionary war, a fact of which Colonel Stone speaks 
in his history of Wyoming as "The most remark- 
able in the history of man. That a father and six* 
sons, including two sons-in-law, should be engaged 

♦ Colonel Stone says six, the number was seven. 



New Sheshequin. 65 

in the same battle field, is rarely, if ever known. 
Five corpses of a single family sleeping upon the 
cold bed of death together the self-same night ! 
What a price did that family pay for liberty !" 
Obadiah Gore 6ame to Sheshequin in 1783, about 
the time Captain Spalding removed there, and 
settled in the lower part of the valley. Obadiah 
was an officer in Washington's army, and served 
through the war. * While Westmoreland sent rep- 
resentatives to Hartford, Mr. Gore was sent as as- 
semblyman, and was prominent in public proceed- 
ings. He was a man of fine appearance, and dig- 
nity of character, and pleasing in his address. 
He submitted to the decree of Trenton, but was on 
the committee remonstrating against the repeal of 
the Confirming act, and after removing to Sheshe- 
quin, was appointed Associate Judge for the Court 
of Luzerne county, and served for many years. 
He was a man of much taste, and cultivated a great 
variety of fruit. He also planted the mullberry 
tree and raised silkworms to some extent. He was 
at one time a merchant, and opened a store of 
goods in his house on the hill, where he always 
lived, at the same time carried on farming quite 
extensively. There was much in his beautiful 
situation to comfort his family and attract his 
friends. 

Obadiah Gore had five children and fifty-two 
grandchildren. He died April, 1820, aged 77 years. 

* Obadiah Gore was engaged as an officer in General Sullivan's 
army. He kept a connected journal of the entire campaign, which 
has been read by some of his grandchildren, and which, it is to be 
regretted, has been lost. 



66 Eaely Times. 

Avery Gore, his son, married Lucy, daughter of 
Silas Gore, who fell in the massacre of Wyoming. 
Mrs. Gore was a rare woman. Her domestic man- 
agement of a very large family, part of the time 
consisting of four generations and numerous de- 
pendants, was a marvel to all who knew her posi- 
tion, more than fifty years ago. '' Rising while it 
was yet dark and giving meat to her household," 
she would apportion to her domestics rhe labors of 
the day, the spinning, weaving, and the dairy, at- 
tending to the butter and the cheese, for which she 
was noted, and the many supernumaries, attend- 
ing upon all. These duties done systematically, 
day after day and year after year, with a quick 
step and a cheerful face ; the impression was, 
'^Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou 
excellest them all." 

She lived in the same house where she was mar- 
ried until the time of her death. She presided at 
her own table more than sixty years. When we 
last called upon her, her sun was declining, and 
she soon after died, in March, 1867, over 92 years^ 
of age. The eldest sister, Mrs. Wilkinson, who 
died some years ago, was also over 90 years old. 

Lucy, quite a little girl, was in Forty Fort at the 
time of the battle of Wyoming, with her mother 
and two other children. Her father, Silas Gore, 
and two of his brothers, were killed. Their names 
may now be seen on the monument, near the fatal 
spot. The children of the family remembered 
when the Indians took possession of the Fort ; and 
many of their antics impressed their childish minds. 
They placed the ladies' caps and bonnets upon 



New Sheshequiis^. 67 

their own heads, put their side-saddles upon their 
own ponies and mounted tliem, riding in ladies' 
style, much to the merriment of all but the poor 
sufferers. They remembered how the fugitives 
waded through the Indian meal and corn and 
feathers knee deep when they were exiled from the 
Fort. Mrs. Gore, with a stricken heart, made her 
way with her three children to a boat, which took 
her to a place of safety. 

Samuel Gore came to Sheshequin with his broth- 
er, Obadiah, and owned a farm joining his, which 
was, at one time, considered very valuable ; but 
some parts of it, as well as other farms in Sheshe 
quin, have suffered greatly from the floods and 
back-water from Towanda dam. 

Mr. Gore was Justice of the Peace, and had the 
business of the neighborhood at that time. Among 
the numerous marriages he was called to perform, 
was that of old Mrs. Nothrop, about 90, and old 
Mr. Howder, a ^ew years younger ; in about the 
year 1830. They lived above the Narrows in 
Athens, and both took their staves in hand and 
walked down to Squire Gore' s, five or six miles, for 
the performance of the ceremony. Mr. Gore was 
fond of pleasantry, and told them it was necessary 
to have some witnesses for the occasion. He there- 
fore sent to some of the neighbors, whom he in- 
vited to attend the wedding. 

After the marriage, this unique bride and groom 
took their staves in hand again and started home- 
ward. It is said that Mrs. Howder lived to be 
over a hundred years old. 

About 1790, Mr. Gore was once coming home 



68 Early Times. 

from Owego, where lie had been to make some pur- 
cliases, with his knapsack upon his back. He 
found the Indians quite numerous and hostile at 
Tioga Point, and the river very high, and could 
not cross it that night. For safety, he climbed a 
tree opposite the island, and secured himself by a 
strap, where he stayed through the night. Early 
the next morning he went to the ferry with all pos- 
sible stillness, where the ferry man took him across 
the river and he went on his way in safety. A 
part of Samuel Gore' s history has been previously 
noticed, in order to give his petition to Congress, 
containing a particular account of the Wyoming 
massacre, and attending circumstances. We have 
thought it unnecessary to give any other history 
of that memorable event. 

It was inserted in that part of our record, in or- 
der to give those statements in thek proper chron- 
ological order. 

Moses Park, of Stonington, Connecticut, who 
married a daughter of General Spalding, was a 
Baptist minister, and preached to a small Baptist 
church in Sheshequin, of which Josej)h Kinney 
was Deacon. They, with many others, afterward 
embraced Universalism. 

His son, Chester Park, ip a licensed local Meth- 
odist preacher. His ministrations over these hills 
and among these valleys have been acceptable and 
yery useful. 

Mr. Jabez Fish and family came from Wilkesbar- 
re at a later period and settled at Sheshequin. Mr. 
and Mrs. Fish had been members of the Kev. Ard. 
Hoy t' s church, of Wilkesbarre,who afterward went 



New SHESHEQUiisr. 69 

on a mission to the Cherokee nation, at Mission 
Ridge, Georgia. They nnited with the Congrega- 
tional Church at Athens in 1812. Mr. Fish died 
in a few years after, and Mrs. Fish lived long to 
honor her profession. She was mnch interested 
in the missionary canse. Her granddaughter, 
Mrs. Tracy, has recently gone on a mission to 
Turkey. 

Breakneck, the lower part of Sheshequin, was 
known by that name at the time Sullivan's army 
passed through the narrows. Col. Hubley states 
in his journal : "So high and so narrow was the 
path at Breakneck Hill, a single false step must 
inevitably carry one to the bottom, the distance of 
180 feet perpendicular ;" and yet, an army of more 
than 3,000 men with their long train of packhorses, 
marched through this dangerous pass in safety. 
They then " entered the charming valley of She- 
shequin, made a halt at a most beautiful run, and 
took a bit of dinner." 

It has been said that a squaw fell from the preci- 
pice years ago and broke her neck, and it is gen- 
erally supposed this circumstance gave name to 
the place, and a face was painted on the rocks, by 
a rough artist, commemorating the event, which, 
perhaps is still visible. 

Obadiah Grore, son of Avery Gore, has a short 
and ancient record of a title, of much interest, a du- 
plicate of which is as follows : 

INDIAI^ TITLE. 

'* Nicolas Tatemy, an Indian Chief, bought of 
the State or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in 
1873, a tract of land, 180 1-2 acres, in the cenW of 



70 Eakly Times. 

Sheslieqnin, and sold it to John Brotsman, a gen- 
tleman of Pliradelpliia. This farm was bought 
of Mr. B. by Obadiah Gore, grandfather of the 
present occupant, who gave it to his grandson for 
his name. The draft of land was called Tudela- 
lamoohong, situated on the East Branch of tlie 
Susquehanna river, opposite an Indian settlement 
called Sheshequinung, lying in Northumberland 
Co., Pa. Returned to Surveyor's office for John 
Lukens." 

It is pleasant to visit the valley of Sheshequin, 
where so many of our fathers and grandfathers 
have lived and died ; where cluster so many pleas- 
ant associations, and where we have spent so many 
of our youthful days. We remember while there 
seeing the total eclipse of 1806, when the chickens 
went to roost, the cows went lowing home, and the 
teacher and scholars ran home in dismay. 

We remember the old barn, which has just fal- 
len under the weight of more than four score years, 
and the additional pressure of a heavy snow, the 
first frame building in Bradford, then a part of 
Luzerne Co., built in 1786 ; and also the house of 
our grandfather, built a little later, and now un- 
dergoing extensive rej^airs. We felt like saying 
*' Woodman, spare that tree," when we heard it 
was to pass through a revolution ; but have been 
gratified to find some parts of it remaining un- 
changed, and we can there see the old tall clock, 
and the spy-glass which Lieutenant Gore carried 
in the army of the Revolution, and which children 
and children's children have been permitted to 
look through, as a special favor. There have been 



New Sheshequin. 71 

many living in Slieshequin remarkable for their 
longevity. We could name numbers, who have 
lived more than four score years, and several over 
ninety. 



VIII. 



OLD SHESHEQUIK. 



npHE west side of the river, known as Ulster, was 
-* called by the Indians Sheshequinnng, and was a 
place of great importance among them. It was 
earlier known and settled by them, than the op- 
posite side of the river, now called Sheshequin. 
It was the termination of the great Sheshequin 
war path from the Wesi Branch, by Lycoming 
Creek, thence to Beaver Dam, thence down Sugar 
Creek to Sheshequin flats. 

The Moravians state that the Chief Echgohund 
resided here. It was a Mousey town, inhabited 
by that ferocious tribe whose emblem was a wolf. 
Queen Esther' s village was composed of a part of 
this tribe, and they partook of the same spirit. 

After the Indians were driven off, the early white 
settlers called it Old Sheshequin, and those on the 
opposite side, called their settlement New Sheshe- 
quin. They were settled about the same time, 
principally by Wyoming people, whose sympa- 
thies were strong and lasting. 

When the township was surveyed by the Sus- 
quehanna Company, they included the two settle- 
ments and called the township Ulster, which re- 



Old Sheshequin. 73 

mained so many years ; but in 1820 the township 
was divided, the west side was called Ulster, and 
the east side Sheshequin. . So that on the west side 
of the river the original Shesheqiiinung, has alto- 
gether lost its ancient Indian •name. 

Among the early white settlers were Captain 
Simons, Mr. Holcomb, Mr. Tracy, Captain Clark, 
Captain Cash, Captain Rice, and afterwards Mr. 
Overton, an Englishman, who purchased of Tracy, 
and was the father of the Overton family now 
among lis. Mrs. Overton, who came to this coun- 
try some years after her husband, was a lady of 
polished manners, and very beautiful. 

This was quite a social community, and they liv- 
ed in much peace and quietness. A Baptist Church 
was formed here, at an early period, and the sac- 
raments were administered alternately on the 
east and west sides of the river. 

Captain Cash and his wife, Mrs. Overton and 
Mrs^_Rice, died nearly at the same time, of a fever 
that prevailed throughout the country in 1812. 
Anna Cash, the eldest daughter of Captain Cash, 
was left with the entire care of her father' s large 
family, and did herself much honor by her faith- 
ful' attention to them, until they were otherwise 
provided for. She afterwards married Colonel 
Lockwood, who was known here many years. She 
brought up a large family of her own, and died at 
her old home in 1865. 



IX. 



JOim SHEPAED. 



IN Ms journal, written at Tioga Point, and 
dated 1784, Mr. Shepard says : "I was born in 
Plainfield, Connecticut, April 17th, 1765. Went 
to school in the Academy there, taught by Nathan 
Daboll" — the arithmetician and astronomer. 

His uncle, Captain Simon Spalding, came from 
Wyoming to Connecticut, after the close of the Pev- 
olutionary war, to purchase cattle. He says : "I 
went home with him, and was then eighteen years 
old. We had a long and tedious journe}^ — were 
fifteen days before we arrived at Wyoming with 
the cattle. I contiaued there two weeks, then 
went up the river with my uncle, and remained 
with him at Sheshequin until December 18th, 
1784. From thence I engaged as clerk for Weiss 
& Holenback, in the Indian country, at Newtown, 
now Elmira. It was more than twenty miles from 
any white inhabitants. 

"I continued there until April, then bought 158 
pounds (about $500 dollars' worth) of goods of 
Weiss & Holenback, to carry farther into the In- 
dian country. Went first to a place called Tioga 



John Siiepard. 75 

Point to obtain packhorses. The streams were 
high, so that many ti Ees I waded np to my waist, 
and my man Brown was thrown from his horse, 
and carried down stream several rods by the swift 
water. We went back to the store, packed np 
my goods,* and started .with tliem the 23d of April, 
1785. 1 came to a ])]ace called Catharine Town. 
Tliere I continned two days among the Indians, 
and oold part of my load. I arrived at Canoga on 
Caynga lake, the 29th of April." (Canoga is 
nearly ojjposite Aurora, and noted as the birth- 
place of Kcd Jacket.) 

''The 6th of May I sent my man back to Weiss 
& Holenback's store with skins and furs to ex- 
change for more goods. During his absence I 
lived nine days without seeing ar^y person except 
savages. I amused myself by walking about, but 
dared not go out of sight of my cabin, for fear of 
having my goods stolen. 

" May 15th, Messrs. Leonard and Dean came 
by way of Seneca river and lake, with a boat load 
of goods from Albany, and in two days more six 
boat loads came. I sold to them sundry articles, 
bought of them gum. Hour, brooches, blankets, 
&c. I went to Newtown the first da}^ of June. The 
night I arrived there the Indians had a drunken 
frolic, and fell upon us, and we were obliged to 
make our escape. 

'' I went to Canoga again, June 18th, and sent 
William to Tioga Point. After his return, I was 
taken sick with fever and ague, which continued 
until October. I started for Tioga Point, and at 
Newtown met two men from Niagara, who told me 



76 Eaelt Times. 

that the Indians had killed and taken a number of 
white people, and there was much alarm. 

' • That night I came back to Tioga Point. Will- 
iam stayed with me nntil the 4th of January, 1786. 

''The State line was run this year "by Ritten- 
house and others. I engaged with Holenback 
again as clerk at Tioga Point, and continued with, 
him through 1787." 

It would seem that the Indians had become 
quite numerous and troublesome about this time. 
Many of them had returned with strong attach- 
ments to their native soil. Some felt that they 
had not been fairly dealt with, and many were in- 
fluenced by the love of strong drink, with which 
they could here be supplied, and here was their 
incomparable hunting and fishing ground. 

With these attractions, many of the natives 
were returning, which created serious apprehen- 
sions among the white people. 

Two intoxicated Indians were at one time in a 
quarrel. One ran into Holenback's store, the 
other pursued him with his rifle and shot him 
dead, then made his escape — the blood stream- 
ing in every direction about the store. Mr. Shep- 
ard witnessed this terrible scene. They seldom 
ofiered him any violence. He was quite a favo- 
rite with them. They admired his bravery, some- 
times calling him " Yankoo Bravoo," and he of- 
ten went by the name of " Conidehetcut " among 
them. He in return admired some of their char- 
acteristics, and often expressed much regard for 
them. 

While the natives remained, there was much 



John Siiepard. 77 

trade with them in the article of furs. They 
found "plenty bear, plenty deer" on the moun- 
tains and plains. The dense pines within the hills 
and rivers formed a cool retreat for them, from the 
sultry sun in summer, and protection from the cold 
blasts of winter. 

Deer skins were abundant, and from several 
bills among Mr. Shepard's old papers, it appears 
that other animals abounded. One bill of sale 
mentions — 24 bear skins, 31 martin and mink 
skins, 5 fishers, 2 otters, 1 wild cat, 44 raccoons. 

The journal continues: *' January, 1788, 
bought Prince Bryant's mills, and an adjoining 
lot of Nathaniel Shaw, called the mill lot, on which 
were a saw mill, grist mill, and two dwelling 
houses." These lots were the first land purchase 
made by Mr. Shepard. They were bought under 
Connecticut title. Subsequently the Pennsylva- 
nia title was demanded and met. This purchase 
enbraced the land on both sid-es of Cayuta or 
Shepard' s Creek, from the State line down to Mor- 
ley' s mill, including Milltown. It was in the deed 
called a gore of land, containing 600 acres, for 
which he paid 600 pounds New York currency, 
$2.50 per acre. 

In this purchase, the grist mill was an imjDor- 
tant acquisition, being the only one within 50 
miles. It was run both night and day. Loads of 
grain were brought to it from distances of twenty, 
thirty and fifty miles, in boats, canoes, carts and 
sleighs. 

Mr. Shepard was once returning from New 
York in a buggy, and was overtaken by a heavy 



78 Early Times. 

snow storm, 150 miles from home, which made it 
necessary for him to exchange his vehicle for a 
sleigh. More difference was required than Mr. 
S. was prepared to advance, but said he, "I will 
give you my note." The landlord hesitated, as he 
was an entire stranger. When Mr. S. said, '* Have 
you ever heard of 'Shepard's Mills?'" "O, 
yes." "I am the man," said Mr. S. "Well," 
said the landlord, "Take the sleigh and give me 
your note." 

Among Mr. Shepard's papers is a statement of 
the " Boundaries of a lease dated March, 1787, 
from the Chiefs of the Seneca s and Cayu- 
gas, to Benjamin Birdsall, Simon Spald- 
ing, John Shepard, Matthias Holenback, Oba- 
diah Gore, Elijah Bush and many others, begin- 
ning at the Narrows, ^ye miles above Newtown, 
on the Tioga ; thence east to Awaga Creek ; 
thence down the Awaga to the Susquehanna 
river ; thence down said river until it strikes 
the Pennsylvania line ; then on said line until it 
strikes the 79 mile stone ; from thence, a norther- 
ly course to the place of beginning." But little is 
known respecting this lease, except the above 
description. The Indians lost their lands, and it is 
supposed that the " Lease Companj^ " did not re- 
ceive much emolument from tliem. 

June 3d, 1790, Mr. Shepiird married Anna, 
daughter of J udge Gore, of Sheshequin, and set- 
tled on a farm at Milltown, Avhich he bought of 
Jolp Jenkins under Connecticut title, for the sum 
of one hundred pounds, Pennsylvania money ; 
containing about three hundred and forty acres on 



John Shepard. 79 

the opposite side of the creek from the mills. He 
lived on this farm more than twenty years. Six 
of his children were born there. His wife and el- 
dest son died there. Near the close of the last 
century he made large purchases of land, and at 
one time owned on the State line, from the Tioga 
to the Susquehanna river. 

In 1796, he says, "Purchased of T. Thomas, of 
Westchester County, 1,000 acres of land in the 
State of New York, beginning 52 rods east of 59 
mile stone." The consideration for the same w^as 
two thousand pounds lawful money of the United 
States. This purchase embraced the whole of 
Waverly, Factoryville and several farms back on 
the hill. 

Some years after this purchase, Mr. Shepard in 
terceded with General Thomas, to set off a por- 
tion of his large patent, extending to Buckville, 
for church purposes, which he consented to do. 
But the object was deferred, and the General be- 
coming weary of his vast possessions, having no 
children, left all to his wife. 

Mr. Shepard built a house for his brother-in-law, 
Josiah Pierce, near Chemung river, on the hill. 
This was a house of entertainment for travellers, 
and accommodated the long train of judges, law- 
yers and witnesses on horseback that passed 
back and forth during the sessions of Court held 
alternately at Owego and Newtown, shire towns for 
old Tioga County. 

Mr. Pierce had a son Chester, 18 years old, who 
was riding a spirited horse through the pines, 
towards Milltown. When about half way, a boy 



80 Eaely Times. 

frightened the horse, and young Pierce was thrown 
from the saddle. One of his feet caught in the 
stirrup, and he was dragged on the ground, and so 
injured that he very soon died. 

He was the first one interred in the Milltown 
burying ground. The Pierce place was afterwards 
owned by Isaac Shepard, son of John Shepard, 
whose extensive grounds are now in the possess- 
ion of his sons C. H. and W. W. Shepard. The 
house was burned in 1853. 

The journal adds, "December, 1798, my grist- 
mill was burned, and with hard labor saved the 
saw-mill. Rebuilt the grist mill, and with the as- 
sistance of friends had the mill in operation in 
about six weeks." Such was the spirit of the peo- 
ple at this period. 

During this suspension of the mill, the long ca- 
noe was dispatched with grain for Holenback's 
mills at Wilkesbarre, 80 miles distant, and the 
horse mill of Mr. Alexander was in operation day 
and night, to supply the inhabitants with bread. 

1799. The Compromising law was passed by 
the Legislature of Pennsylvania. This was fol- 
lowed by law suits about the improvements on 
lands that had been occupied by Conneticut 
claimants. 

Colonel Pickering suggested the Compromising 
law, and was the principal agent in securing its 
enactment, although he was decidedly in favor of 
Pennsylvania. In his "Concise jN"arrative " he ad- 
mits, '' That it is not surprising that Connecticut 
should claim that part of Pennsylvania which 
was comprehended in a charter, twenty years older 



John Shepard. 81 

than Mr. Penn' s, and that all things considered, 
the Pennsylvania Legislature should be disposed 
to view the subject in dispute in the most favor- 
able light for the unfortunate settlers." 

By the terms of this law, " Commissioners ap- 
pointed by the State, were to re-survey lots claim- 
ed by the Connecticut settlers, a certificate was to 
be issued to the State, on presenting which to the 
land office, and paying the small compensation 
fixed, he should receive a patent."* 

It was a time of prosperity with Mr. Shepard 
about the beginning of this century. His grist- 
mill, saw-mill, fulling-mill, oil-mill, and distillery 
afforded him quite a revenue, although attended 
with great expense. His zeal in land purchases 
were almost unbounded. Whenever he heard of 
land to be disposed of, he would secure it if pos- 
sible. But taxes, and Pennsylvania claims, be- 
gan to bf^ so onerous that it checked his ardor, and 
as he grew older, he felt that in being so desirous 
for the world he was only pursuing a phantom 
that had no substance. The providences of God, 
too, were preparing him to look at life in its true 
light. 

In 1804 his diary says, "Began to build my 

^ large house in Milltown this season, and made 

preparations to build my new mill near the river." 

1805. " At this time I began to see there was a 
God that^governs the world. This year he brought 
heavy afflictions upon me, to which I was not re- 
signed, but hope I may realize in his own time it 
is for good." 

♦Miner's History. 



82 Early Times. 

Febuaiy 7th, ' ' My first born son Prentice was 
taken from me by death, with a very short ill- 
ness. A fall while skating produced dropsy on 
the brain, and he died in about six weeks. He 
was a fine looking youth, 15 years old, large of 
Ms age, and the pride of his father." 

August. "My uncle, Doct. Amos Prentice, next 
door, was taken from us by death, with a very 
short illness." Dr. P. was a much esteemed friend, 
whose society he prized, and on whom he depend- 
ed as family physician, and instructor for his 
children. 

September 7th. "The wife of my youth was 
taken from me by death, by a fall from a car- 
riage. She remained unconscious until the next 
day." A short time before her death, which oc- 
curred 30 hours after receiving her injury, she re- 
vived and looking around upon her husband and 
six children, was only able to say, "lam go- 
ing to the world of spirits." 

" Is it notliing to you, all ye that pass by, behold 
and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow 
which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath 
aflSiicted me in the day of his fierce anger." 

1806. In the fall of this year Wm. Prentice, 
son of Dr. Prentice, a lawyer on whom Mr. Shep- 
ard depended to assist him in business, died of 
fever. With all these afldictions upon him at once, 
he made arrangements for his family, and still 
pursued his business, sorely bereaved as he had 
been. He finished his mill toward the river, and 
his large house at Mill town. 

He purchased his first Pennsylvania title of the 



John Shepard. 83 

Howel Company, with Philip Cranse, 500 acres on 
the west side of the river, on the State line. This 
tract included the farms of Cranse, Dr. Wood- 
worth, Robb, Fordham and Wheelock. 

1809. '-Sold my old mill to Samuel Naglee of 
Philadelpliia." 

June. ''Sent to Stonington, Connecticut, for 
my sister Grant, a widow, to keep house for me." 
(She brought two daughters with her, afterwards 
Mrs. Stephens and Mrs. Howard.) 

1807. Thomas Shields presented his claim as 
Pennsylvania landholder, against the farm Mr. 
Shepard had bought of Jenkins, under Connecticut 
title, and where he had lived with his family many 
years, adjoining the Howel and Pickering tract, 
containing 384 acres, for which he paid Mr. Shields 
the sum of 1590 dollars in different instalments. 
In those days we heard much about paying for 
land twice. 

1808. " Josiah Crocker came from Lee, Massa- 
chusetts with a large family of Puritanic stamp. 
He was the first person that held regular religious 
meetings uniformly on the Sabbath, in Athens, 
and taught the Assembly's catechism.'' 

1807. "Built saw-mill and fulling mill with 
Joseph Crocker." This was the mill at Factory- 
ville, which Mr. A. Brooks afterwards bought and 
enlarged for a woolen manufactory, and was 
burned in 1853. 

1809. Mr. Shepard received his first commission 
as Justice of the Peace from Governor Simon Sny- 
der, to officiate in the township of Athens and Ul- 
ster, County of Lycoming. In 1812 the County of 



84 Eaely Times. 

Bradford was created out of Lycoming County, 
embracing the northern townships, including Ath- 
ens, and he received another Commission constitu- 
ting him a Justice of the Peace in Athens, Brad- 
ford County. 

May 18th, 1811, Mr. Shepard married his second- 
wife on Long Island, a Miss Hawkins, of Stony 
Brook, a lady of remarkable equanimity of temper, 
and very companionable with the children she had 
adopted. 

She had ^ve children, two sons and three daugh- 
ters. She died January 18tk, 1844. 

1813. The journal continues, "Sold my house 
in Milltown to Benjamin Jacobs, with 90 acres of 
land." 

1814, "Made a contract for Pickering tract of 
614 acres. In June removed my family on this 
tract." (Harris place). 

Mr. Shepard made great improvements on this 
farm. He hired four " Green Mountain Boys," 
who had come to seek a place in the new country, 
for the purpose of clearing off the dense yellow 
pine timber. The trees readily fell before these 
active woodmen. It was quite a source of amuse- 
ment to the youngsters to stand in the door, or 
look out of the windows, and see the falling and 
hear the crashing of the trees as they tumbled to 
the ground, and then the rolling of the logs togeth- 
er, preparatory to burning. It was interesting at 
the time of the burning of the fallows, to see the 
curling smoke and ascending flames, and we can 
now easily credit the theory since advanced that 
"artificial rains can be produced by combustion." 



John Shepard. 85 

Without understanding the theory, we noticed the 
fact, when we were children, and always looked 
for a shower in hot weather, soon after the burn- 
ing of a fallow. 

1814. This year there was heavy snow and a 
hard winter. The wolves were driven down from 
the mountains in search of food, and many sheep 
were devoured by them. They could be heard 
howling at all times of night. The inhabitants 
were much in fear of them, and were afraid to pass 
from Milltown to Athens, even in the day time. 
There was no travelling after dark, so great was 
the fear and danger. The sheep were often called 
into the door-yard, and lights were kept burning 
for their protection. Bears and panthers were 
sometimes seen between the rivers. Bounties 
were offered for killing these animals, and those 
that were not killed retired to the mountains. 

1817. "Removed my family from Pickering 
tract to Campbell farm on Howell tract. Built a 
house, barn, shed, &c." This was the last of my 
father's earthly homes. Here he lived 20 years. 
This we now call '' the old place." He still pos- 
sessed much activity of spirit, and was engaged 
in disposing of the lands he had accumulated, up- 
on which the taxes and state claims had become 
quite burdensome. He managed to retain a com- 
fortable portion for his family, and gave much for 
benevolent objects, often paying a large share of 
the minister's salary, and always extended an 
open hand to the poor, not unfrequently present- 
ing a deed of five acres of land to families that 
were needy. Even at this late period of life, his 



86 Early Times. 

alert mind would often suggest improvements and 
advantages for others. About the year 1820 
an article written by a traveller, in the distant re- 
gions of California, came to his notice and great- 
ly interested him. The writer described the cli- 
mate as delightful, and the soil as incomparably 
rich, and abounding in ores. " Gold was fre- 
quently seen glittering in the earth of which tho- 
rough wigwams of the Indians were built, they, at 
that time, not comprehending its value." After 
this, Mr. Shepard was often heard to say, ^' If I 
were a young man I would go to California." He 
did not go to California, but, in 1849 two grand- 
sons, and a little later, two sons and three other 
grandsons, went to that attractive country. Isaac 
Shepard, one of the grandsons, in consequence of 
failing health, attempted to return home, but died 
on the " Pacific side," and was buried in the sea. 

December 31, 1832. "Gave my sons Isaac and 
Job a deed for the mill at Factoryville, each half 
the mill and utensils. ' ' 

This is about the close of Mr. Shepard' s memo- 
randa. He began to grow feeble and the infirmi- 
ties of age were pressing upon him. He arranged 
his worldly affairs as far as was possible ; after 
which he devoted much of his time to relig- 
ious exercises, private and public. He was often 
heard to pray for a blessing upon his children, 
and children's children, to tJie latest generation. 
He was a constant attendant upon the house of 
prayer. The Bible, with Scott's Comments, became 
almost his entire reading, for the last few years of 
his life. On the day of his death he rode to the 



John Shepard. 87 

village on horseback, returned home at evening, 
attended family Avorship, sang a hymn as was his 
custom, and retired to rest. About an hour after 
Mrs. S. entered the room. She spoke to him, but 
he answered not. His spirit had taken its flight. 

" Oh, death where is th)^ sting, Oh, grave where 
is thy victory," was a fitting inscription for his 
tomb. He died May 15th, 1837, aged 73 years. 



OLATEEAOK 



r\N the 22d day of August, 1800, Colonel Benja- 
^ min Dorrance, of Kingston, Pa., and JolmShep- 
ard, of Athens, entered into an arrangement by 
which they became mutual partners in a large 
purchase of land of the Susquehanna Company, 
conveyed to them by former claimants. 

This tract, lying south of Ulster, had been sur- 
veyed by John Jenkins at an early period, for the 
Susquehanna Company, and was called the town- 
ship of Claverack (one of the seventeen townships). 
It was situated on both sides of the Susquehanna, 
and embraced what is now called Wysox and 
Towanda. 

At this period the Connecticut title to land 
was held in very light estimation, and considered 
only of a nominal value ; still it was of some im- 
portance, as the state government was disposed to 
treat Connecticut settlers with consideration, and 
grant them easier terms in the purchase of lands, 
in consequence of the great losses they had 
suffered. 

On Mr. Shepard's record of expenses on this 
property, called ''mammoth farm," the first date is 



Claverack. 89 

1801. Then follows a long catalogue of various 
expenditures. Among others, in 1807 is a receipt 
of George Haines, of $45, for ''Surveying the un- 
divided moiety of twelve thousand three hundred 
acres," and another in 1808 of $36, "for obtain- 
ing a patent from the State." A copy of the State 
survey, sent to him by the Surveyor-General in 
1816, is neatly and elegantly executed. It shows 
much deference to the Susquehanna Corcpany, 
finding their allotments, and is bounded by the 
same limits. 

The whole amounted to thirteen thousand and 
six acres, and deducting 826 acres re-le|ised to 
owners under Pennsylvania titles, left 12, 180 acres. 

This mammoth farm added not a little to Mr. 
Shepard' s cares and labors. It cost him many 
wearisome days and nights, travelling back and 
forth from his home, and was often attended 
with perplexities. 

The late Col. J. M. Piolette, Esq., acted as attor- 
ney for Col. Dorrance many years. Messrs. Pio- 
lette and Shepard were often engaged together in 
business relating to this land, in selling and giv- 
ing deeds of release, to those who would obtain 
a patent for themselves. The business was 
brought to a close about 1830. Numerous settlers 
located in Claverack, early in the beginning of the 
this century, more on the east than on the west 
side of the river. In Wysox, the names of Pierce, 
Morgan, Coolbaugh, Ridgway, York, Warner, 
and Price, appear * among the early settlers, 
and the mills of Squire Myres, the elder, 
gave employment to many, while Holenback's 



90 Eaely Times. 

store, near Breakneck road, in the long log build- 
ing, gave life to the place. 

Mansville, or Towanda, on the opposite side of 
the river, was a solitary street for some years af- 
ter the opening of the new century, and apparent- 
ly a place of not much promise. Some of tlie ear- 
ly settlers were Means, Mix, Fox, Bingham, Tra- 
cy, Patten and Hale. A public house, a store, 
and Mrs, Gregory's school, made attractions, and 
brought many to the place. The school became 
quite celebrated, and children were sent from 
some distance to receive the benefit of Mrs. G.'s 
instruc^on and discipline, which was thought 
severe, but proved beneficial. 

Mr. Gregory purchased of Shepard and Dor- 
rance, under the Connecticut title, two valuable 
lots, Nos. 57 and 58, containing 177 acres, in the 
north part of Towanda, but was not able to secure 
a patent from the State. He therefore sold his im- 
provement, and the lots were assigned to Mr. 
Shepard, w'ho sold them in 1818 for about 60 cts. 
per acre. 

After the division of the lots in the township of 
Claverack, between the parties, in 1826 Mr. Dor- 
rance leased the most of his lands, and thereby 
made himself wealthy. Mr. Shepard, more desi- 
rous to bring matters to a close, sold as opportu- 
nities presented, and often at a great sacrifice. He 
spent a great part of his life in hard labor, visiting 
the settlers on the mountains, and elsewhere, sell- 
ing, re-leasing, and collecting what he could ; and 
becoming weary by care and age, he settled up 
his interest in the " mammoth farm " hastily, 



Claverack. 91 

and much to Ms disadvantage. The discovery of 
the Barclay coal mines, near Towanda, in the early 
part of the century, and the Bradford county seat 
being established there in 1812, have rendered 
Towanda a place of importance, containing now 
more than 3,000 inhabitants, with the prospect of 
still more rapid growth. "^ 



*A gentleman who has lived at Gowanda, a town on the borders 
of the Cattaragus Reservation, in western New York, has remarked 
that Gowanda, meaning a I'lon among the hills by the water side, is 
doubtless the same name, as Towanda with us, which is situated in 
a similar manner. 

The ancestors of the Indians on the Reservation having once 
resided on the Susquehanna river, we may suppose they transfer- 
red many of their ancient names. 

Recent excavations confirm the impression that Towanda was a 
town of importance among the Aborigines, and it is probable that 
the meaning of this name also, is a town among the hills by the wa- 
ter side. 



XI. 



THE OOLLESrS MURDER 



AS Major Abram Snell, who was then 85 years; 
old, was passing one day, I said to him, 'T 
have been wishing to see you, and talk about early 
times. You were among the lirst settlers here, I 
believe." "Bless you, yes," said he; "my father 
came here when there was but one house in the 
place, and there were but tew white people about.. 
I was the first white child born in the township of 
Athens." 

* ' Do you remember any thing about the murder 
of an Indian, and the excitement it occasioned?" 
"Bless you, yes. There was a white man living 
here by the name of Collins, who had accumulated 
considerable property. He was a steady man, but 
was taken with the fever and ague, and was 
advised to take whiskey for a remedy. He became 
intemperate. There was an Indian living with 
him, as a servant. In one of Collins' drunken 
spells, he met him at the corner of the old Holen- 
back house, and, in a fit of anger, killed him with 
an axe. His body was secreted in the cellar, and 
the few white inhabitants were in terror, through 
fear of savage revenge. The Indians collected irt 



The Collins Murder. 93 

great numbers. The white people sent for Colonel 
Franklin, General Spalding and Judge Gore. 
They concluded it was best to send messengers to 
a Chief, then at Newtown, and lay the whole sub- 
ject before him. He called a council of war, and 
many Indians, Squaws, and Pappooses, came with 
him, dressed in gay colors, with goose and raven 
feathers, and their faces painted on one side, denot- 
ing that they were for peace or war, according to 
circumstances. They demanded the body of Col- 
lins, to torture and burn him, as their only terms 
of reconciliation. But he had made his escape. 
The white people proposed to give up all his prop- 
erty to them, and it was not until much more was 
•pledged to them that they would come to any 
terms. Money and goods, to a large amount, 
were brought forward, and the white inhabitants 
were saved from the threatening storm of savage 
barbarity." 

Mr. C. Stephens' account of the murder of the 
Indian by Collins confirms the statements of Mr. 
Snell. He thinks it took place about two years 
previous to the treaty with the Indians. He says 
tat the time of the great excitement about the mur- 
der, the rage of the natives knew no bounds. 
They collected in great numbers, and demanded 
the body of Collins, but he had made his escape 
down the river in a canoe, while his friends 
diverted the attention of the natives, by engaging 
with them in forming a ring, of some extent, to 
-search for Collins. 

There were then but few white inhabitants, ten 
Indians to one white man. The inhabitants were 



04 Early Times. 

in the greatest consternation and terror ; nothing 
could exceed their distress, expecting every man, 
woman and child would be massacred. The wife 
of Collins gave up her husband's horses and 
wagon to them, and many others gave them pres- 
ents of various kinds, and they became pacified. 
The Indians took the body of the murdered man, 
and buried him according to their customary 
forms, in the back part of the the old burying 
ground at Athens. We have no date of the time 
when the Collins murder took place, except that 
of Mr. Stephens. It was doubtless one of the 
murders alluded to by Colonel Stone, in his ac- 
count of the treaty. Mr. Stephens says : "I did 
not attend the treaty, being very young at the 
time, but remember seeing the Indians pass by 
my father's, by scores and hundreds, toward the 
Point. They assembled near the bank of the Sus- 
quehanna River, a little below the bridge, in the 
rear of Dr. Hopkins' house and the Stone Church, on 
a low plot of ground, which has since been nearly 
washed away. On their return to Newtown, about 
forty of them encamped for a few days on my 
father's premises, near Spanish Hill, three miles 
north of Athens. Red Jacket was with them. 
One day two of the Indians became engaged in a 
quarrel, and a fight ensued. A third sprang for 
the crank of a grindstone to assist one of them wha 
became involved in the contest. The Chief, hear- 
ing the noise, and seeing the tumult, ran to a din- 
ner pot, rubbed his hands on the outside of it, and 
blackened his face. My mother said to him,. 
* Why do you do that V He laughed and replied, 



The Collins Muedee. 95 

* You'll see,' and ran directly, without speaking a 
word, to the fight. The moment they saw him all 
was quiet— there was no more fighting. Red 
Jacket, after he came in the house, told my mother 
that his face painted black denoted peace, which 
they all understood. If he had painted it red, it 
would be a signal to fight." "^ 

Mr. Stephens recollects that those of the family 
who attended the treaty entertained the younger 
ones at home with a description of the war dance, 
the music of which was performed by a squaw. 
The instrument was a barrel, with a deer skin 
stretched across it, on which she kept time with 
the drum sticks, and a sort of humming sound 
with her voice, while the others performed the 
antics. 

Captain John Snell, 84 years old, has a distinct 
recollection of the treaty ; was seven years old at 
the time, and witnessed much of it. He was en- 
thusiastic when he spoke of it ; said the Indians 
and Squaws made a brilliant appearance with their 
feathers, brooches and blankets, and a variety of 
silver ornaments. He would go now fifty miles to 
see such a parade. He states that the Indians had 
a row of wigwams, on the west side of the Tioga 
River, near where the Irish shanties now are, just 
above his father's, and were often troublesome 
neighbors. Many who came to attend the treaty 
passed his father' s door. It was a treaty of peace, 
and representatives from the Six Nations came 

* Many years after this visit from the natives, significant marks 
and characters, made by the Indians at that tim5, were to be seen . 
on the trees, near Mr. Stephens' house. 



96 Eaely Times. 

from l^iagara to Onondaga, together with all that 
had been scattered by Sullivan's army. Colonel 
Pickering was foremost on the part of the whites. 



XII. 



TTsmTATsT TEEATY AT TIOGA POINT. 



THE glowing description of tlie treaty with the 
Indians at Tioga Point, by Colonel Stone, in his 
history of Red Jacket, has heen kimlly furnished 
by Hon. G. W. Kinney, and is appropriate in this 
stage of our history : 

In the year 1790 the Indian relations in the 
United States were in a most unhappy condition. 
A savage war, fierce and bloody, was raging upon 
the frontier settlements of Pennsylvania and Vir- 
ginia ; and the strong Confederated Indian na- 
tions, inhabiting the country of the great lakes, 
were, to the regions beyond the Mississippi, acting 
under the advice of the officers of the British In- 
dian department, and encouraged in various ways 
by the government of Canada, were gathering to 
the contest with a determination that the Ohio 
River should form the ultimate boundary between 
the United States and the Indian Country. All 
the sympathies of the Senecas, who had never been 
quite satisfied with the provisions of the treaty of 
Fort Stanwix, were with their brethren of the 
West, as also were not a few of their warriors, al- 
though Cornplanter, their principal chief, remained 



98 Early Times. 

unshaken in his friendship for the United States. 
Still the popular feeling among his nation was 
ratlicr hostile, threatening in fact open and general 
hostilities. Just at this crisis the Senecas found 
fresh cause of exasperation in the murder of two 
of th('ir people by some of the white border men 
of Pennsylvania. The effects of this outrage had 
well nigh provoked an immediate outbrej^k. But 
the government of the United States lost not a mo- 
ment in disavowing the act, and in the adoption of 
measures to bring the murderers to punishment, 
by the offer of a large reward for their apprehen- 
sion. A conference of the Six Nations was also 
invited at Tioga Point, at which Colonel Timothy 
Pickering, who then resided at Wyoming, was 
commissioned to attend on the part of the United 
States. The council lire was kindled on the 16th 
of November, and kept burning until the 23d. 
Among the nations present, either collectively or 
by representation, were the Senecas, Oneidas, Onon- 
dagas, Cayugas, a small party of Chippewas, and 
also several of the Stockbridge Indians, among 
whom was their veteran Captain and faithful 
friend of the United States, Hendrick Apamaut. 
The Indians were in a high state of excitement 
when tlu^y arrived, in regard to the outrage, for 
which considfn-ation they had been convoked, and 
which was deeply felt. The chiefs who took the 
most active part in the proceedings of the Council 
were R(h1 Jacket, Farmer's Brother, Little Billy, 
Hcmdrick and Fish Carrier, a very old and distin- 
guished wariior of the Cayugas. Old Hendrick 
made a very eloquent and pathetic address to the 



Indian Treaty at Tioga Point. 99 

Commissioner, in the shape of an appeal in behalf 
of 'his people, reminding him of their strong and 
uniform attachment to the United States during 
the war of the Revolution ; of the hardships they 
underwent, and the losses they had sustained 
during that war, and complaining bitterly of the 
neglect with which they had been treated since the 
peace, in consequence, as he supposed, of the 
small number to which they had been reduced. 
In referring to their services in the field, he used 
these expressions : ''We fought by your side, 
our blood was mingled with yours— and the bones 
of our warriors still remain on the field of battle, 
as so many momentoes of our attachment to the 
United States."^ 
Cornplanter was not present at this Council. ^ 
Red Jacket was present, and was the principal 
speaker. 

" A monarch tall, fearless, sinewy and strong, 
With an eye of dark beauty, and of thoughtful brow, 
To whom the forest tribes had bent for years 
The subject knee. Whose eloquence reached the heart, 
With the rare virtue in his speeches, 
ffhe secret of their mastery. They were short, 
With motions graceful as a bird in air." 
A pipe in peace— a tomahawk in war." 

The eff'orts of Red Jacket on this occasion 
produced a deep effect upon this people. Still, 
by a wise and well adapted speech. Colonel Pick- 
ering succeeded in allaying the excitement of the 

*The Stockbridge Indians suffered very severely in the battle of 
White Plains. 



lOO Early Times. 

Indians, dried their tears, and wiped out tlie 
blood that had been shed. 

The tribe and nation to which Ked Jacket be- 
longed, were powerful allies of the British during 
the war of the Revolution, and were among our 
bitterest foes. 

An English officer once presented him with a 
red coat or jacket after that was worn out ; he 
was presented with another. Hence his name. 

No sooner had the important business relating 
to the outrages been disposed of, than Red Jack- 
et introduced the subject of their lands, and the 
purchase by Phillips and Gorham. In a set 
speech to Colonel Pickering he inveighed against 
the proceedure, and declared that the Indians had 
been defrauded. It was not, he said, a sale which 
they had contemplated, or which they had stipula- 
ted to make to those gentlemen, but only a lease ; 
and the consideration, he declared, was to have 
been ten thousand dollars, together with an annu- 
al rent of one thousand dollars, instead of five 
thousand dollars, and a rent of five hundred, 
which only had been paid to them. He declared 
that after the bargain was concluded in Council 
at Buffalo Creek, the Rev. Mr. Kirkland,^ Colonel 
John Butler, t and Capt. Brant, J were designated 
by the Indians to draw up the papers. The Indi- 
ans supposed all to have been done correctly un- 
til the year following, when they went to Canan- 

♦A gentleman who was at the treaty at Buffalo, and was now 
with Colonel Pickering. 

tThe celebrated missionary to the Indians. 

JThe invader of Wyoming, then residing at Niagara. 



Indian Treaty at Tioga Point. 101 

daigna to receive their pay, expecting to re- 
ceive ten thousand dollars. Tliey were told that 
live thousand only was their due. " When we 
took the money and shared it, we found we had 
"but about a dollar apiece. " Mr. Street," said 
the Chief, ''you very well know that all our lands 
came to was but the price of a few hogsheads of 
tobacco. Gentlemen who stand by (addressing 
the gentlemen in attendance with Colonel Picker- 
ing) do not think hard of what has been said. 
At the time of the treaty, twenty brooches could 
not buy half a loaf of bread. So when we return- 
ed home, there was not a single spot of silver about 
us. Mr. Phelps did not purchase, but he leased 
the land. We opened our ears, and understood 
the land was leased. This happened to us, from 
our not knowing papers." 

This speech of Red Jacket or Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, 
is the earliest of his forensic efforts of which there 
is any written memorial. It is thought that great 
injustice was done him by his interpreter. But a 
gentleman"^ who was familiar with the language, 
and who was present at the treaty, asserts that Red 
Jacket, during the sittings of the Council, spoke 
with extraordinary eloquence and power. Much 
depends upon the interpeter in the preservation of 
Indian eloquence. If he be a dull prosaic man, 
without geniu-s himself, and incapable of apprecia- 
ting the glowing thoughts, the burning words and 
the brilliant metaphors of his principal, the most 
eloquent and stirring passages— evidently such 



*Thomas Morris, Esq., who has favored the author with the 
written reccollections of that Council. 



102 Early Times. < 

from the kindling effects upon those understand- 
ing the language— will fall from the lips of the in- 
terpreter as insipid as it is possible to render lan- 
guage, by the process of dilution. 

Hence, from the acknowledged genius of Red 
Jacket, and the known powers of his eloquence up- 
on his auditors, this speech to Colonel Pickering 
is to be received rather as a poor paraphrase by a 
bad interpreter, than as the speech of the orator 
himself. The following is the best passage it con- 
tains. After recapitulating his own statement of 
the negotiation with Phelps and Gorham, and as- 
serting the anxiety of his people to appeal to Con- 
gress for a redress of their grievances in this trans- 
action, the orator proceeded : 

" Now brothers, the Thirteen States, you must 
open your ears. You know v^hat has happened 
respecting our lands. You told us, from this time 
the chain of friendship should be brightened. 
Now brothers, we have begun to brighten the 
chain, and we will follow the footsteps of our fore- 
fathers. We will take those steps that we may sit 
easy, and choose when, and how large our seats 
should be. The reason we send this message is, 
that the President, who is over all the thirteen 
States, may make our seats easy. We do it that 
the chain of friendship may be brightened with 
the Thirteen States, as well as with the British, 
that we may pass from one. to the other unmoles- 
ted. We wish to be under the protection of the 
Thirteen States, as well as of the British." 

During the progress of the negotiation with Col. 
Pickering, at this Council, an episode was intro- 



Indian Treaty at Tioga Point. 103 

duced of which some account may be excused in 
this place as an illustration of Indian character 
and manners. It was this year, 1790, that Robert 
Morris, of Philadelphia, purchased from the State 
of Massachusetts the preemption right to that por- 
tion of her territory that had not been purchased 
by Phelps and Gorham, in western New York. 
For the general management of his concerns, and 
the negotiations he knew he should be obliged to 
hold with the Indians, his son Thomas had taken 
up his residence at Canandaigua, and was cultivat- 
ing an acquaintance with the Indians. In this he 
was successful, and soon became popular among 
them. He was in attendance with Colonel Picker- 
ing at Tioga Point, where the Indians determined 
to adopt him into the Seneca nation, and Ped 
Jacket bestowed upon him the name he himself 
had borne, previous to his elevation to the dignity 
of Sachem, " Otetiani," " Always Read}^" 

The ceremony of conferring upon young Morris 
his new name occurred during a religious obser- 
vance, when the whole sixteen hundred Indians 
present at the treaty united in an offering to the 
moon, then being at her full. The ceremonies 
were performed in the evening. It was a clear 
night, and the moon shone with uncommon bril- 
liancy. The host of Indians, and their Neophyte, 
were all seated upon the ground in an extended 
circle, on one side of which a large fire was 
was kept burning. The aged Cayuga Chief- 
tan, Fish-Carrier, who was held in exalted 
veneration for his wisdom, and who had been 
distinguished for his bravery, from his youth up, 



104 Early Times. 

officiated as the high-priest of the occasion — 
making a long speech to the luminary, occasionly 
throwing tobacco into the fire as incense. 

On the conclusion of the address, the whole as- 
sembly prostrated themselves upon the bosom of 
their parent Earth, and a grunting sound of ap- 
probation was uttered from mouth to mouth, 
around the entire circle. At a short distance from, 
tlie fire a post had been planted in the earth, in- 
tended to represent the stake of torture, to which 
captives are bound for execution. After tlie cer- 
emonies in favor of Madame Luna had been ended, 
they commenced a war dance around the post, and 
the spectacle must have been as picturesque as it 
was animating and wild. The young braves en- 
gaged in the dance were naked except the breech- 
cloth about their loins. They were painted fright- 
fully, their backs being chalked white, with irreg- 
ular streaks of red, denoting the streaming of 
blood. Frequently would they cease from danc- 
ing while one of their number ran to the fire, 
snatching thence a blazing stick placed there for 
that purpose, which he would thrust at the post, 
as though inflicting torture upon a person. 

In the course of the dance they sang their songs, 
and made the forest ring with their wild screams 
and shouts, as they boasted of their deeds of war, 
and told the number of scalps they had respect- 
ively taken, or which had been taken by their na- 
tion. Those engaged in the dance, as did others 
also, partook freely of unmixed rum, and by con- 
sequence of the natural excitement of the occasion, 
and the artificial excitement of the liquor, the fes- 



Indian Treaty at Tioga Point. 105 

tival had well nigh turned out a tragedy. It hap- 
pened that among the dancers was an Oneida 
warrior, who in striking the post, boasted of the 
number of scalps taken by his nation during the 
war of the Revolution. Now the Oneidas, it will 
be recollected, had sustained the cause of the Col- 
onies in that contest, while the rest of the Iroquois 
Confederacy had espoused that of the Crown. The 
boasting of the Oneida warror, therefore, was like 
striking a spark into a keg of gunpowder. The 
ire of the Senecas was kindled in an instant, and 
they in turn boasted of the number of scalps tak- 
en by them from the Oneidas in that contest. 
They moreover taunted the Oneidas as cowards. 
Quick, as lightning, the hands of the latter were 
upon their weapons, and in turn the knives and 
tomahawks of the Senecas began to glitter in the 
moonbeams as they were hastily drawn forth. 
For an instant it was a scene of anxious and almost 
breathless suspense, a death struggle seeming in- 
evitable, when the storm was hushed by the inter- 
position of Fish-Carrier, who rushed forward, and 
striking the post with violence, exclaimed : ' ' You 
are all a parcel of boys ; when you have all at- 
tained my age, and performed the warlike deeds 
that I have performed, you may boast what you 
have done ; not till then ! " 

Saying which, he threw down the post, put an end 
to the dance, and caused the assembly to retu-e.* 

♦Manuscript recollections of Thomas Morris. Mr. Morris vr&s 
known among the Indians by the name conferred upon him on this 
occasion. For many years after his marriage, his wife was called by 
them, " Otetiani Squaw," and his children, " Otetiani pappooses." 



106 Early Times. 

This scene in its reality must have been one of 
absorbing and peculiar interest. An assembly of 
nearly two thousand inhabitants of the forest, gro- 
tesquely dressed in skins, with shining ornaments 
of silver, and their coarse raven hair falling over 
their shoulders, and playing wildly in the wind as 
it swept past, sighing mournfully among the giant 
branches of the trees above— such a gi;oup gather- 
ed in a broad circle, in the opening of the wilder- 
ness, the starry canopy of heaven glittering above 
them, the moon casting her silver mantle around 
their dusky forms, and a large fire blazing in the 
midst of them, before which they were working 
their spells and performing their savage rites — 
must have presented a spectacle of long and vivid 
remembrance. 

There is a difficulty in finding a record of this 
treaty in the Office of Indian Affairs at Washing- 
ton. There is said to be no paper on file having 
reference to such a treaty. But on examination 
of the printed volumes of ''American Archives," 
allusion is made to it by Colonel Pickering, who 
states that he had sent his report to General 
Washington. It is said it was never ratified by 
the Senate. 

The treaty seems to have been left in an unfin- 
ished state. The terms of the negotiation are not 
expressed, and the form of the adoption of Mr. 
Morris by the Seneca nation is not stated. 

But, whatever might have been the intention of 
the treaty, it decided for the Indian that the 
land of his fathers was no longer his, and we 
must suppose that with much heaviness of heart, 



Indian Treaty at Tioga Point. 107 

lie turned from Ms delightful hunting and fishing 
ground, on the Susquehanna and Tioga rivers, 
towards the setting sun. 

" And lo ! that withered race, 
Were turned from their own home away, 
And to their father's sepulchres returned no more. 

Very few Indians were ever seen here after this 
event. Many white people who were born here 
near the close of the last century never saw a 
native. 

" Ended is their ancient reign, 
Their day of savage pride." 

But they have left us their mementoes : 

"Their name is on our waters, we may not wash it out." 

There were a few aged and infirm ones who 
lingered until their recovery, or means were provi- 
ded for their removal. 

A white man had wounded an Indian. The in- 
habitants did every thing in their power for him. 
He lived in a cabin that stood on the lot where 
Mr. C. Stephens now lives. Mrs. Mathewson went 
with her husband to see the wounded man, and 
took things to him for his comfort. The day was 
very hot. An Indian was sitting out-side the 
door in the burning sun. His uncovered head 
shaved, except the scalping tufts. She spoke to 
him as she passed and said, " it is very hot." 
" Yes," he said, *' it is as if the Great Spirit is go- 
ing to burn the world up."* 

*In 186G, a traveller passing through Evansville, Indiana, met 
with an old Indian who said to him, after some preliminary con- 
versation, "Me Seneca, born at Tioga, where waters Tioga and 



108 Early Times. 

The Senecas and Tuscaroras have reservations 
in Western New York. One of 20 miles in 
length, and two or three in width near Buffalo. 
Another farther south near the Pennsylvania line, 
on the Allegany, forty miles in extent. They 
are called Upjier and Lower Cattaraugus. The 
most of these Indians have become civilized, and 
many of them have good farms, well cultivated. 
They liave a government of their own, with a 
President at the head, and have churches and 
schools, where they are well instructed. In their 
churches they have native preachers, and the best 
of singing. 

There is another reservaton still nearer Buffalo, 
at Tonawanda. One also at Oneida on the Mo- 
hawk, and another for the Onondagas south of 
Syracuse, where they have made similar improve- 
ments. There are some Cayugas living with the 
Senocas. 

Missionaries have been laboring among these 
Indians with great success, very many years. 
Mr. Wright, who is still living, has been forty 
years among them. He is now at Cattaraugus. 
Mr. Bliss has been laboring among them about 
twenty years. 

Cornplanter was favorable to the introduction 
of Christianity among his people. Eed Jacket 
never was until near the close of his life. 

Susquehanna meet. Plenty deer, plenty bear dare. Me six win- 
ters when Injun was driv out der home. Me see near 100 -ran- 
ter. Me not member much. Me be like old bald mountain, 
nothing on top." Putting his hand to his head, implying that 
his faculties were gone. In reply to the question where he lived, 
he said, " anywhere," then said on "Seneca Eeservation." 



XIII. 



FEEIsrCH TO WIST, OE ASYLUM. 



A T the time of the Revolution in France, in 1790- 
-^ 98. and during the reign of terror, when the 
hand of man was raised against his fellow man, 
there was no safety for life or property. The 
King himself lied to another part of his dominion, 
and many of his subjects escaped to other coun- 
tries., for shelter from the terrific storm that was 
upon them. 

Hundreds came to our country and sojourned 
in various parts of it. A large number formed 
a colony and were directed to the Susquehanna 
river within the bounds of Pennsylvania. 

They crossed over to the west side of the river, 
and founded a large town which they called Asy- 
lum, in the county of Luzerne, named from one of 
the French embassadors in 1786. The town was 
laid out in regular order, and designed to accom- 
modate a large number. Houses were principally 
built of hewn logs, and some of them were very 
large. It is said that Louis Phillipe, at that time 
Buke of Orleans, was here for a time incognito. 
It is well understood that he traveled about in 



110 Early Times. 

New Jersey and New York State, and was some 
time at Canandaigua, and from thence came to 
Tioga Point, w^here he remained a little time, and 
then passed down the Susquehanna river to the 
French Town. Arrangements were in progress to 
liave the King and Queen make their escape from 
France and hide themselves in this Asylum. 
Certain it is that a house was built far back in the 
woods, and called the Queen's house. But in 
January (21st,) 1793, Louis XYI. was beheaded, 
and the next year Marie Antoinette suffered the 
same fate. It is said by some that their son, the 
Dauphin, died under the cruel treatment of a Ja- 
cobin. Others suppose he was secreted many 
years, after which he was brought to this country 
and was engaged in after life as a missionary to 
the Indians. 

The early settlers at Asylum suffered many pri- 
vations, and to add to their trouble, their servants 
whom they brought with them deserted them, 
which left them very helpless, as they were un- 
able to do their own cooking, and were not accus- 
tomed even to dress themselves. 

The original French settlers nearly all left. Af- 
ter the change in the French Government many 
of them returned to France ; others were scattered 
through our country, and a few remained irt Asy- 
lum, some of whose descendants are among our 
most wealthy and respectable citizens. 

Bartholomew La Porte was one of the number 
of tlie exiles who remained. His son. Judge La 
Porte, was born at Asylum, 1798, where he resid- 
ed the most of his life, cultivating one of the most 



French Town, or Asylum. Ill 

extensive and valuable farms in the country. He 
filled many public places of honor and trust. He 
was chosen to represent this district in the Legisla- 
ture in 1827 — served five years in that capacity, 
being elected Speaker the last session of his ser- 
vice. He was elected to Congress in 1832, and re- 
elected in 1834. In 1840 he was commissioned as 
Associate Judge of this county, which place he 
occupied until May, 1845, when he was appointed 
Surveyor-General by Governor Shank — an office 
which he held six years. He died suddenly in 
Philadelphia, August 22d, 1862. 

General Durell was a prominent man among the 
exiles. A part of the township of Asylum bears 
his name. 

A French Admiral, one of the exiles, settled at 
" Dushore " which was named for him. He re- 
turned to France after Buonaparte re-called the ex- 
iles, and acted as Admiral in the battle of the 
Nile, where he fell. 

The names of La Porte, Homet, Le Fevre, Pre- 
vost, BeAutrement, are said to be about the only 
original names left. The descendants of the 
French exiles are numerous, and some of them 
are living with us. 

Early in the present century many other French 
families came to this country and settled near Asy- 
lum. Mr. J. M. Piolette settled at Wysox, and pur- 
chased a farm now owned by his sons, who have 
added to it, and are extensive and practical far- 
mers. 

Mr. Delpeuch, Mr. Peuch and others, settled 
near Towanda. Mr. Peironnet and several other 



112 Early Times. 

FriMich poople came to Silver Lake, soon after the 
book of Dr. Rose was published, setting forth 
th^ beauties of the country, and in common with 
many others suffered from the imposition that 
was practiced upon them. 

Mr. Wright states that there has been a great 
change among the Indians who remain on their 
reservations in Western New York since 1831. 
Then labor was performed by the women, and it 
was thought disgraceful for a man to work. Now 
all this is reversed. The disgrace rests upon the 
man who refuses to labor. The peojDle have be- 
come essentially agricultural in their habits and 
modes of life, and many of them are quite respec- 
table farmers. Some of them have become com- 
paratively rich by farming, and many of them 
liave become temperate. On the Cattaraugus Res- 
ervation they have a Division of the Sons of Tem*- 
perance of more than a hundred members, and 
are earnest and spirited in keeping up their meet- 
ings. Education was once scouted by the most 
of them : now it is desired by nearly all, and the 
New York State district school system is extend- 
ed over them, and of ^he ten schools in operation 
on that reservation, seven are taught by well qual- 
iticd Indian teachers. 

The old Mission Church has about 120 Indian 
members, and the Baptist and Methodist churches 
noaily as many more. But there are some who 
still cling with more or less tenacity to their old 
Pagan customs. 



XIV. 



ATHENS TOWll^SHIP. 



ATHENS, situated near the nortliern boundary 
of Pennsylvania, is within the limits of the ter- 
ritory purchased from the Indians hy the Susque- 
hanna Company and by the State of Pennsyl- 
vania. . . .^ 

Mr. Miner says that, " Wyoming m its more 
limited signification, is the name given to a valley 
on the Susquehanna river, about twenty miles m 
length, and from three to four miles in width, but 
in its more enlarged sense it was used to designate 
that part of the valley embraced within the 42d de- 
gree of north latitude. 

''The valley, to the State line, has been called 
Wyoming by the Connecticut settlers, but it is 
now more generally called the Susquehanna val- 

ley 

'' The seventeen townships, namely Huntington, 
Salem, Plymouth, Kingston, Newport, Hanover, 
Wilkesharre, Pittston, Providence, Exeter, Bed- 
ford, Northumberland, Tunkhannock, Braintnm, 
■ Springfield, Claverack and Ulster, were occupied 
by Connecticutclaimants, before the decision of the 



114 Early Times. 

Court of Trenton, and were, with the addition of 
Atliens, confined to those claimants by the com- 
promising haw of April 4th, 1799, and its several 
supplements." 

The northern boundary of Ulster was at first left 
indefinite, supposing that the contemplated State 
line would form the boundary, and that would be 
the most northerly township claimed by the Sus- 
quehanna Company. It was therefore called the 
17th township, and was expected to extend a lit- 
tle distance above the '' mile hill," where it was 
supposed the State line would run. But after the 
survey in the winter of 1786, it was found there 
was an interval of two or three miles between that 
line and the temporary or supposed line, of the 
northern boundary of Ulster. Therefore, when the 
township of Athens was surveyed the May fol- 
lowing, the northern boundary of Ulster was re- 
moved to its present limit, a little below where 
the two rivers meet, thus giving room for another 
large and beautiful township ; which was called 
Athens by the Susquehanna Company, and added 
to the other towns. They were then called the 
'' Eighteen Townships," and were acknowledged 
by the State. 

Hence, until 1786 Tioga Point was supposed to 
be in the township of Ulster, and letters for this 
place were often addressed to Ulster Post Office 
many years after. 

In a copy of a letter from Mr. Shepard to Mr. 
LeRay, written in 1831, he states that, " the old 
township of Atliens was laid out by John Jenkins, 
when the Susquehanna claim was under the juris- 



Athens Townshp. 115 

diction of Connecticut, in 1777, and re-snrveyed by 
said Jenkins in 1780." This is the only record 
we have of tliis first survey. 

The creek near the northern boundary of Ath- 
ens, now called Shepard' s Creek, w^as called by 
the natives Cayuta Creek. It has its rise in a 
little lake by that name in Spencer, and runs in a 
southerly direction about 20 miles, emptying into 
the Susquehanna a mile below the State line. 

Several valuable mill sites are on this stream. 
Morley's mill, bought by Mr. Shepard of Bryant 
in 1788. Wheelock's mill, built originally by 
Mr. Shepard in 1806. Brooks' factory, built by 
Shepard and Crocker in 1809, and Walker' s mill, 
built in 1806. 

The township of Athens was surveyed by John 
Jenkins in May and June, 1786. He was the 
principal Surveyor for the Susquehanna Company, 
and a prominent man among the Connecticut 
settlers. 

His field book says, '' Began May 7th, 1786, 
first to take the course of Tioga Creek, at the 
mouth, and run up to a bend in the creek, to a 
flat piece of land with buttonwood timber, to the 
north line of the town.* The next day, May 8th, 
began to take the course of the Great River, from 



♦This river was called by Mr. Jenkins Tioga River or Tioga Creek. 
■Some years after a horn of large dimensions was foiind by a Mr. 
Baker near the Upper Narrows, said to have measured nine feet in 
length. The Indians also had pieces of a very large horn, which 
they said their ancestors had found in the river, and they, there- 
fore, gave it the name of Chemung, which signifies Big Horn. The 
lower part of the river is more generally called Chemung, while the 
upper part, near the Cowansky, is called Tioga. 



116 Early Times. 

the Point up to the lower end of the Cove ; then 
to the lower end of an Island (now Willlston's 
Island); tlien to the mouth of a creek six rods 
wide, (Shepard's Creek); tlien to a small creek 
where a cove makes np to the shore. 

*' The distance from Tioga river to Susquehanna 
river, 3 3-4 miles. Monday, June 14th, 1786, sur- 
veyed township ; beginning on the Tioga north, and 
running 5 1-2 miles south ; thence E. five miles ; 
thence N. five and a half miles to the northern 
boundary ; then on the State line five miles west." 

Tlie course of the roads through the town were 
laid out much as they are now — those on the riv- 
ers following the Indian paths. The course of the 
road through the Point ran near the center of the 
town, to a gate. Below the gate was a street, and 
lots laid out of about ten acres each. 

The map from which these statements are taken 
is interesting to the antiquarian, and is in posses- 
sion of Mr. Z. F. Walker. It was copied by Major 
Flower many years ago from a field book signed 
'' John Jenkins." 

On the margin of the map is a long list of 
names of men who were living at the time of the 
survey, and stood ready to "draw" their lots. 
None but the most aged among us can recognize 
more than a half dozen names with which they 
are familiar. Mr. C. Stephens, now 84 years of 
age, recollects nearly all of them. 

Athens township was re-surveyed by the State 
the same year, recognizing the boundaries of the 
Susquehanna Company. 

That ])ait of the township on the west side of 



Athens Township. 117 

Tioga river was laid out in farms of one hundred 
acres each. 

The most familiar names of the early purchas- 
ers, beginning at" the south line of the town, are 
Daniel McDowell, Nathan Dennison, Mathias 
Holenback, John Franklin, Wright Loomis, Dan- 
iel Satterlee, Nathan Gary (who sold to Dr. Ste- 
phen Hopkins) C. Hubbard (sold to Elisha Sat- 
terlee and Jacob Snell). Mr. Murray and Mr. 
Spalding purchased south of Dr. Hopkins. 

Lots were laid out much the same on the east 
side of the Susquehanna, and the names of Bene- 
dict Satterlee, John Franklin, Elisha Satterlee, 
Elisha Matthewson, Slocum, Baldwin, and Jenk- 
ins, are also among the familiar names. Robert 
Spalding owned the farm now in possession of 
John Thompson. 

The building lots in the village above the gate 
were laid out with much regularity. 

It is seldom we meet with a more delightful lo- 
cation for a village than this. The first settlers 
evidently thought so, and laid it out in anticipa- 
tion of its becoming a large town. 

Two beautiful rivers, the Tioga and Susquehan- 
na, perpetually flow on each side of a valuable 
point of land, between converging ranges of moun- 
tains, and after mingling their waters, roll down 
the extended valley together. The dwellers of 
this valley may say : 

" There is not in the wide world a valley more sweet 
Than this vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet." 

The valley through its entire length has ever 
Hbeen considered a beautiful portion of country, 



118 Early Times. 

and the historic interest is unparalleled. It was 
here that the refugees from Wyoming found a 
comparative resting place. 

Many families, bound together by kindred ties^ 
early associations, and the most severe sufferings, 
located in the upper part of the valley, and v^ithin 
the embrace of the Tioga and Susquehanna 
rivers, which formed as it were protection for these 
exiles, who were principally Connecticut people, 
and were thus united by a common sympathy. 

The protracted civil wars among the early set- 
tlers, the Indian massacre of Wyoming, and the 
military movements over these hills and through 
this valley, the soil of which has been made sacred 
by the blood of our ancestors, will continue to 
furnish themes for the poet, the artist and historian. 
A lady on board a steamboat on Seneca Lake, who 
heard the other passengers expressing their admi- 
ration of the delightful scenery, remarked : " It is 
nothing to be compared with the scenery o^ the 
Susquelianna river." She had just come from 
Wyoming, and testified to what she had seen. 

A gentleman once visiting a clerical friend here 
was so charmed with the scenery as he entered the 
village that he exclaimed on meeting him: 
'' Why, I should think you might preach in poet- 
ry here ! ' ' 

The views from some of the neighboring hills 
are beautiful, and are always attractive to the ar- 
tist. Prospect Hill, overlooking Gen. Wells' farm, 
has often been a place of resort for the youthful 
and vigorous. 

Spanish Hill, in the northwest part of the town,, 



Athens Township. 119 

is among the ancient curiosities of the conntry. It 
stands completely isolated near the west bank of 
the Chemung, the State line crossing near its 
northern point, leaving the principal portion of the 
hill within the bounds of Athens township. It is 
about a mile in circumference. It is about 200 
feet high, easy of access, and from its summit is a 
charming view of a beautiful landscape many miles 
in extent. It is surrounded by mountains, near 
the base of wliich flow the Tioga and Susquehan- 
na. Remains of ancient fortifications around the 
summit of the hill have been seen by many of the 
present generation. Specimens of Spanish coin, it 
is said, have been found there. These two facts 
have given rise to various conjectures. One has 
given it the name, the other the character of hav- 
ing once been a warlike place of defence. But 
when and by whom must ever remain a mystery.^ 

Some of the early settlers who were on the 
ground before the natives left the country, have 
been heard to say that the Indians called it Span- 
ish Hill, implying that Spaniards had been there, 
and the name has been perpetuated. They sel- 
dom went on the hill, from some superstitious 
fear or dread. 

They had a tradition that a Cayuga Chief once 
went to the top of the hill and the Manitou or 
Great Spirit took him by the hair of the head 

*Jtidge Avery, whose opinion is entitled to much weight main- 
tains that this, and similar monnds in New York State, that have 
on their summits the appearance of fortifications, are of Iroquois 
construction, for a defence against the Susquehannocks, their for- 
midable foe, whom they finally exterminated. 



120 Early Times. 

and whirled him away to regions unknown. It 
was supposed that he was murdered by the Buc- 
caneers. 

It is, however, a good theme for legends, and 
several writers skilled in legandary lore, have en- 
tertained us with their conjectures. Mr. N. P. 
Willis with his bride visited this hill many years 
ago, and also gave his musings to the public. 

It has also been said that when the Spanish 
Buccaneers were driven out of Florida, they were 
never heard from after they left Chesapeake Bay. 
There is, also, an Indian tradition related by Mr. 
Alpheus Harris, whose farm covered Spanish Hill, 
that these Spanish Refugees were met by the In- 
dians near this eminence, and driven to the top of 
the hill, where they defended themselves for days 
and months, by throwing up breastworks, enclos- 
ing many acres, but finally perished by starva- 
tion. Many now living remember the beautiful 
fiat lawn of several acres on the top of the hill, 
and an enclosure of earth 7 or 8 feet high, which 
has within a quarter of a century been leveled by 
the plow and harrow. 

Other legends carry the romance still farther, 
and affirm that the Spanish invaders were rescued 
from death by the sacrifice of a Spanish daughter, 
" the .precious price of Spanish ransom," to a 
Cayuga Chieftain, who kindly guided them to 
" the prairies of the distant West." 

It is well understood that there was an Indian 
burying ground on the north end of the hill, and 
some remains an) still visible. 

Professed fortune tellers have walkedabout this 



Athens Township. 121 

eminence with tlieir incantations, as if to gather in- 
spiration from it. One affirmed that the fabled 
treasures of Captain Kidd were buried there, and it 
is reported that some credulous men have during 
the night dug for them, with the usual success. 

The prospect from this hill is delightful. Not 
wild or sublime, but picturesque and beautiful. 

The native forest trees in this region were in 
great variety. Those covering the pine plains 
were a singular brotherhood. The old dry trees, 
killed by the worm in 1796, so tall that they were 
often uped by sentinels in war time to ascertain 
the position of the enemy, and the smaller ones so 
dense that it was difficult for the deer with his an- 
tlers to escape in the chase. In these pines herd- 
ed much game which had been the living of the 
red man, and was subsequently the sport and sus- 
tenance of the white man. 

There is in our possession an ancient map of Tio- 
ga Point, by whom drawn it is not known. The 
survey was made in 1785, with only the rivers and 
temporary State line for boundaries. 

On this map are laid down the warrants of Jo- 
siali Lockhart, Nicholas Kiester, Arthur Erwin, Jo- 
seph Erwin, Timothy Pickering, Samuel Hodgson, 
Duncan Ingraham, and Tench Cox, with the date 
of their warrants and surveys, and number of 
acres allotted them. These were the first State 
claimants on Tioga Point. Lockhart sold to 
Carrol, Erwin to Mr. Duffee, Pickering to John 
Shepard, in 1813. The borough of Athens was in- 
corporated March 29th, 1831. David Paine, Esq., 
was elected first Burgess. 



122 Early Times. 

The first newspaper published in Athens was 
the '' Athens Scribe," by O. N. Worden, in 1841- 
'42 and '43. The " Athenian " was edited by C. 
T. Huston in 1854. ;rhe "Athens Gazette" by 
M. M. Pomeroy in 1855-'56, (now proprietor of the 
' ' La Crosse Democrat. " ) ' ^ Athens Kepublican. ' ' 
" Athens Democrat," published in 1867. ''Week- 
ly News," 1868. . 



XV. 



BOUKDAEIES. 



IN 1786 Andrew Elliott, on the part of Pensylva- 
nia, and James Clinton and Simeon Dewit,onthe 
part of the State of New York, were appointed 
Commissioners to ascertain, run out and mark 
the boundary line between the two States, begin- 
ning at the point ascertained and fixed by Ritten- 
house and Holland, the former Commissioners, on a 
small island in a branch of the Delaware river. 
This duty these Commissioners performed in the 
year 1786 and 1787, by running a line due west 
from the point before mentioned, to the shore of 
Lake Erie, a distance of 259 miles, 88 perches. 

'' In 1784 a large tract of land was purchased by 
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania of the In- 
dians at Fort Stanwix. 

The land office was opened for the sale of these 
lands on the first day of May, 1785. The law re- 
quired that all applications filed within ten days 
after the sale should have priority of location. 

When No. 1 was drawn from one wheel, the 
name of the applicant, Josiah Lockhart, of Lancas- 
ter, with the number of acres applied for, was 



124 Early Times. 

drawn from another wheel. His warrant was 
tlierefon^ number one, and entitled him to the first 
choice of locating his warrant. 

He located his warrant on the point of land ex- 
tendiii,ir fi'om the confluence of the Susquehanna 
and Tioga Rivers to a line a little above the Mile 
Hill, from river to river, containing 1038 acres, 94 
perches, called Ta-ya-o-gah by the natives, mean- 
ing "at the forks," or "meeting of the waters, 
known as Tioga Pt)int," by the white man ; the 
gateway or entrance into the State of Pennsylvania 
for the red man. According to statements of the 
Surveyor-General, Mr. Lockhart's land must have 
cost him 26 cents per acre. 

This tract was purchased of Lockhart for two 
dollars and fifty cents per acre, early in this cen- 
tury, by Mr. Charles Carrol, of Carrolton, near 
Baltimore ; one of the signers of the Declaration 
of Independence, and one of the latest survivors 
of that distinguished body, being ninety-five years 
of age when he died. 

Mr. Caton, a son-in-law of Mr. Carroll, came 
into possession of this tract. He settled with the 
Connecticut claimants, in most cases to their sat- 
isfaction, while with others he had some litiga- 
tion. 

Mr. James Pumpelly, of Owego, surveyed this 
tract for Mr. Carrol in 1802, and gave it as his 
opinion that the pine plains were worthless for 
cultivation, and others entertained the same opin- 
ion. But fertilizers and tillage have developed the 
qualities of the soil, and many parts of these pine 
plains are now sold for more than a hundred dol- 



Boundaries. 125 

lars an acre, and some think this a low estimate. 
Tar and charcoal were formerly manuliictured 
from these pines in considerable quantities. 

The territory which comes within our notice has 
been included successively in the counties of 
Berks and Northumberland. 

On the 2oth of September, 1786, Luzerne County 
was formed out of a part of Northumberland, the 
northern boundary of which was the State line. 
The county received its name from Count Luzerne, 
minister from France to our newly formed govern- 
ment. 

On the 13th of April, 1725, Lycoming County 
was established out of Northumberland, bounded 
north by State line, and east partly by Luzerne. 

On the 21st of February, 1810, Ontario County 
was erected out of parts of Luzerne and Lycom- 
ing. Its northeastern corner was the 40th mile 
stone on the State line, and its northwestern 
corner the 80th mile stone. 

On the 24tli of March, 1812, the name of Ontario 
was changed to Bradford, in honor of Mr. Brad- 
ford, who came from England in 1762, and who 
was the first printer in Philadelphia, which county 
was then organized for judicial purposes, and 
with Susquehanna, Tioga and Wayne, constituted 
the 11th Judicial District. 



XVI. 



DISTn^GinSHED OHAEACTERS. 



MANY in this town still remember Col. John 
Franklin, a tall patriarchal looking man, bent 
with years and the cares and labors of early life, 
of a depressed though expressive countenance ; 
his face pitted with small pox, rather negligent of 
his personal appearance, though always the gen- 
tleman, and always commanding the respect and 
attention of those who knew him. He frequently 
wore a long blue cloak, and on public occasions a 
three cornered hat and small clothes, and always 
carried a little cane, used particularly on funeral 
occasions, to preserve order in the procession, of 
which he was Marshal in those days. Sometimes 
he visited the schools, giving a word of advice, 
and always presiding at the town meetings. 

Connecticut claims, says Mr. Miner, was the 
object he had pursued with zeal and delight for 
more than thirty years ; yet he would recommend 
obedience to the laws of the land, although he had 
found himself disappointed and beaten. 

He was called the "Hero of Wyoming," and 
was prominent in the early history of this valley. 



Distinguished Characters. 127 

After having labored many years in vain to estab- 
lish a cause which he considered just,, he finally 
settled in this most northerly town in his loved 
valley of Wyoming, in 1788, and here lived many 
years on the east side of the Susquehanna, in a 
retired and quiet way, and died March 1st, 1834, 
at the advanced age of 82 years. 

Col. Franklin's farm was sold to Major Zephon 
Flower, and the avails divided between his child- 
ren. It now belongs to his grandson, Z. F. 
Walker. 

The only complete record we have of the early 
life of Col. Franklin is to be found in Mr. Min- 
er' s book. In preparing his history if he could have 
had the use of his manuscripts at the commence- 
ment of his work, it would have saved him a year's 
labor. 

He states that John Franklin was a native of 
Litchfield County, Conn. He was that boy who 
was called to an account, by his austere father, 
for gazing about at the place of worship in time of 
divine service, counting the rafters, etc., instead 
of attending to the sermon. ''Father," said he, 
'' can you repeat the sermon ?" '' Sermon, no. I 
had as much as I could do to watch your inatten- 
tion." "If I will tell you all the minister said 
you wont whip me ? " "No, John, no, but that is 
impossible." Young Franklin named the text, 
and went through every head of the discourse, 
with surprising accuracy. " Now father," said he, 
' ' I can tell you exactly how many beams and raf- 
ters there are. ' ' 

The touchino; account of his tenderness and care 



128 Early Times. 

of Ills three little ones, after the death of his wife, 
at the time of Wyoming trials, is almost unpar- 
alleled. Having no person to take care of them, 
he determined to place them in charge of his kind 
friends in Canaan, Conn. Harnessing a horse to a 
little cart, he placed in it the three children, tied a 
cow by the horns, to follow, and drove on, having 
a cup, in wliich, as occasion required, he milked, 
and fed the babe. Thus he traveled the rough 
way, more than two hundred miles, in safety, ex- 
liibiting all the patience and tenderness of a 
mother. 

He had three children, Kezia, William and 
Amos. Kezia married Dr. Beebe, a physician of 
some eminence. They lived and died at Geneva 
some years since. Mrs. Beebe was an interesting 
lady, and frequently visited this place while her 
father was living, and after his death took her 
father's valuable papers and portrait home with 
her. 

From his first removal to Wyoming, John Frank- 
lin was devoted to the cause of Connecticut claim- 
ants. Ever active, and ever zealous for their 
rights, he was prominent in their public assem 
blies, and wielded great influence. 

This made him a mark for his adversaries. He 
felt confident of the justice and final success of. his 
party, and was unremitting in his efforts in its 
behalf. He strongly disapproved of the decision of * 
the Pennsylvania Legislature when they erected 
the county of Luzerne, and proposed him for a rep- 
resentative. He spurned the nomination, and set 
about founding an Independent State Government. 



Distinguished Characters. 129 

So determined was lie to maintain Ms purpose 
that Col. Pickering, wlio had now become strongly 
interested for Pennsylvania, foreseeing his plans, 
obtained a writ to arrest him on charge of high 
treason, October, 1787. He was suddenly seized, 
and with much difficulty was mounted on a horse 
by four men ; and while Col. Pickering held a 
pistol to his breast, his servant tied his legs under 
the horse, one taking his bridle, another fpllowmg 
behind, and one riding each side, they were soon 
out of the reach of his friends. Thus subdued by 
six men, he was hurried with painful speed to the 
jail at Philadelphia. 

All Wyoming was in commotion on hearing ot 
the abduction of Franklin, and the part Col. Pick- 
ering had taken. 

Immediate measures were adopted by the par- 
tisans of the Yankee leaders to seize Col. Picker- 
ino' and carry him off as a hostage for the safety of 
Franklin. Under the lead of Swift and Satterlee, 
the ''Tioga Boys," or '' Wild Yankees " sur- 
rounded his house, but did not find him there. 
He had gone to Philadelphia to inform the execu- 
tive council of the state of things at Wyoming, and 
remained there until January. 

On the 11th of June following, while asleep in 
his bed, he was aroused by a violent opening of 
his door. The intruders were men, twelve or four- 
teen in number, painted black and armed, come 
to execute the long threatened attack. 

After dressing, they pinioned him, tying his 
arms together and led him off through Wilkesbarre 
in perfect sHence, and proceeded up the river to 



130 Early Times. 

Pittston. They then said ' ' If yon will write a line 
to the executive committee and intercede for Frank- 
lin, we will release you." 

He refused, and they went on to Lackawanna. 
They traveled thirty miles before they stopped to 
eat. They then learned that the militia were in 
pursuit of them. This hastened their speed. 
They retired to the woods and remained there a 
week, and frequently inquired of the Colonel if he 
wished to be set at liberty, and if he would inter- 
cede for Franklin. 

They also compelled him to wear a chain be- 
cause Franklin was in irons in Pliiladelphia. He 
carried it ten days, and when they relieved him 
they inquired again if he would intercede for 
Franklin. He replied, " I will answer no question 
until I am set at liberty." He finally agreed to 
write a petition for " The Boys," praying for their 
pardon. 

They arrived at Tunkhannock and told the Col- 
onel he was at liberty, at the same time renewing 
their request that he would intercede for Franklin. 
This he peremptorily refused to do. Col. Pick- 
ering returned to his family, having been absent 
about a month. He had not suffered in health, 
having had plenty of wintergreen tea, coffee made 
of scorched Indian meal, and plenty of venison, 
and some bread. Col. Pickering was quite an 
epicure. It is said that after this, during Wash- 
ington's administration, when ' negotiating a treaty 
with the Indians, a vast table being surrounded 
by Commissioners, Contractors and Indian braves, 
the conversation turned upon the characteristic 



Distinguished Characters. 131 

designation of the Cliiefs. One was that of the 
Eagle ; another of the Tortoise, etc. An old 
warrior seeing Col. Pickering disposing of his 
eleventh cup of coffee, exclaimed ''He Wolf 
Tribe. ' ' This incident doubtless occurred at Tioga 
Point, at the great treaty in" 1790. After serving 
his country in the capacities of Postmaster Gen- 
eral, and Secretary of State, he removed to Massa- 
chusetts, his native State, which he afterwards 
represented in the United States Senate. He died 
1829, aged 84 years. Not a man in the nation 
stood higher. 

Col. Franklin remained a prisoner in Philadel- 
phia jail many months. His health began to fail, 
and the iron will and iron frame of this Hero ^of 
Wyoming began to give away. He petitioned the 
Supreme Court that he might be liberated on find- 
ing bail. The lion being tamed, the purpose of 
a new and independent goyernment being aban- 
doned. Colonel Franklin was liberated. 

His second wife was a Mrs. Bidlack, whose hus- 
band had fallen in battle. 

Her daughter, Sarah, married Mr. Samuel Oven- 
shire, the father of the Ovenshire family among 
us. Col. Franklin and his wife were both buried 
, on the farm he owned, opposite our village. 

He was a representative in* the Pennsylvania 
Legislature from Luzerne, and afterwards from 
Lycoming ; was also High Sheriff for Luzerne Co. 
He had in his possession several large books — 
records of the Susquehanna Co., which, it is to be 
regretted, have been scattered. 



132 Early Times. 

The following leaf from the portfolio of an artist,* 
may be of interest in connection with the above 
sketch of Col. Franklin : 

"Pennsylvania, generally, is attractive to an 
artist. My object in visiting the State was to 
study nature in her secret haunts. And no place 
in this fair creation offers more allurements than 
are to be found on the banks of the Susquehanna 
River. 

■ " In Athens, a northern town of Pennsylvania, I 
formed an acquaintace with the family of an old 
Revolutionar}^ veteran. Col. Franklin, who had 
signalized himself in the Revolutionary wars, and 
had prepared for publication a history of the 
eventful struggle, so far as related to the vicinity ^ 
of Wyoming. He- was then suffering from paraly- 
sis, accompanied with frequent turns of mental 
aberration. His family were under the apprehen- 
sion that he was fast passing away, and being de- 
sirous to preserve some memento of him, solicited 
me to attempt his portrait. I was told that I must 
expect to obtain it with much difficulty and 
patience, owing to the melancholy prostration of 
his mental and physical powers. I repaired to 
the Colonel's house, professionally equipped with 
every thing necessary for the accomplishment of 
my design. I was cordially received and con-* 
ducted to tli(^ door of his apartment, and here 
commenced one of the most extraordinary scenes 
I ever experienced. I heard frequent cries of 
' murder.' On entering the room, the most promi- 

♦The lato S. A. Mount. 



Distinguished Chaeacters. 133 

nent object that appeared, was the hoary lieaded 
veteran stretched upon his couch, with both his 
hands elevated, and his eyes keenly fixed upon 
me. At his feet sat an old companion in arms, 
named Moore (his nurse), who only could control 
the Colonel. I advanced coolly as possible to the 
middle of the room and placed my easel upon the 
floor, when the invalid again commenced his cries of 
' murder ! murder ! ! Moore, Moore ! ' Upon which 
the following dialogue commenced : ' Hallo Col- 
onel, what's the matter?' ^ Don't that fellow mean 
to kill me?' 'No, no, Colonel, he won't touch 
you.' 'You lie, he means to murder me.' 'I tell 
yoii he don't. Colonel.' 'Who is he Moore, a 
doctor ? ' To humor his vagaries Moore told him 
I was. ' Come this way doctor, I want to speak 
to you.' 'Moore don't let him kill me.' 'Non- 
sense, nonsense. Colonel.' 'Doctor am I dying V 
' No, no. Colonel, let me feel your pulse,' I added. 
' Have you been sent here to kill me, doctor ? ' ' No 
Colonel, I have come to paint your portrait.' 
' Then do you mean to kill me doctor ? ' ' Con- 
found your nonsense, you old coward, ' interrupted 
Moore, ' what do you suppose he wants to kill you 
for, he has come to paint your portrait.' 'Don't 
murder me doctor, don't murder me.' Moore took 
hold of the Colonel's throat, affecting to choke 
him, while the Colonel with his long arms, pound- 
ed Moore's head, at the same time exclaiming 
' Moore is killing me, Moore is killing me ; take him 
off doctor ! ' I was about interfering in favor of the 
Colonel, when Moore turned partly 'round and 
whispered to me to be silent, and he would soon 



134 Early Times. 

quiet the old man, which to my surprise he accom- 
plished in a few moments. The Colonel became 
exhausted from this struggle and conceived him- 
self dying. At his request the family were called 
in to receive his farewell blessing. He was bol- 
stered up and began a pathetic harrangue to his 
family. The indifference manifested by all pres- 
ent somewhat surprised me at first, but I was 
soon led to account for it, when the Colonel sud- 
denly starting up in bed, exclaimed vehemently 
'Moore, Moore, I'm hungry, I'm hungry ! Where 
is the doctor'^' This abrupt termination gave a 
rather ludicrous effect to the whole scene, and the 
family, seeing no immediate danger, withdrew, 
and I approached the Colonel. 'Doctor,' asked 
he, ' are you a tory V 'I am not Colonel.' ' What 
are you then V 'I am an artist, and with your 
permission will paint your portrait.' ' Do you hate 
a tory doctor ? ' 'I do Colonel.' 'That's right, 
that's right. Moore, you and the doctor help 
me up.' We threw a cloak over him and seated 
him by a small table near the window. Food 
was brought to him and Moore ministered to his 
wants. 

" It would require the pencil of a Hogarth, or the 
pen of a Shakespeare to depict adequately the 
effect which this scene wrought upon me. In 
silence I regarded the two old veterans, recounting 
in their second cliildhood the recollections of the 
past. 

"'Boasting alond of scars they proudly wore, 
And grieved to think their day of battle o'er.' 

*' Thinking I should have no better opportunity 



Distinguished Chaeacters. 135 

of effecting the object of my visit, I proposed mak- 
ing a sketch of the Colonel, to which he readily 
assented, seeming pleased at the idea. The table 
was removed. 

*' I arranged my light, and fixing my easel, com- 
menced my labors. My subject remained quiet 
half an hour, when he suddenly threw himself 
back in his chair, parted the bosom of his shirt 
and displayed to my gaze a deep wound in his 
breast. ' Do you see that ? ' he exclaimed, his 
countenance beaming with enthusiasm. ' I do 
Colonel.' ' I received that wound fighting for your 
liberty, my boy ! I want you to paint that in my 
picture. Yfes doctor,' he continued, ' I got it in 
the glorious cause of my country — the country 
I love with my heart and soul ! ' and the old man 
unable to restrain himself, through weakness, burst 
into tears. I was affected, so was Moore, who 
said, ' all he tells you is true, sir.' In a few mo- 
ments the Colonel resumed* his former position, 
and I continued my task. It was not long before 
another incident occurred. I observed his counte- 
nance grew fiercer and firmer in its expression, 
until with his mouth partly open, his eyes glared 
upon me with the look of a demon. Cautiously 
hitching his chair nearer where I sat, he sudden- 
ly gave a kick and my easel and canvass lay 
prostrate on the floor. 

" Alarmed at this sudden demonstration of hos- 
tility, I started back, and in so doing raised my 
maul-stick. The Colonel regarded this movement 
on my part as a declaration of war, and tlirew 
himself in an attitude of defense, exclaiming ' come 



136 Early Times. 

on you infernal traitors, you have "been trying 
long enough to murder me. Stand by me Moore.' 
* Pardon me Colonel.' 'I'll never pardon you, 
you are an infernal coward, isn't he Moore? ' 'No 
he is not,' said Moore, 'and if you don't behave 
yourself he'll whip you as you deserve.' 'You 
lie Moore, I can flog you and the doctor both.' 
When a pugilistic encounter began between the 
two old soldiers. My picture was not injured, but 
I removed to a respectful distance. 

'' The knowledge I had already gained of the 
Colonel's face enabled me to finish the portrait to 
the satisfaction of his friends ; a sketch of which is 
now in my portfolio, which remind^ me of the 
noble form of the worthy old officer, and his com- 
panion Moore. A late visit to the romantic valley 
informed me that both of my old friends ' lay like 
warriors taking their rest,' on the beautiful banks 
of the Susquehanna." 

Colonel John Jenkins was a native of Windham 
County, Conn. ; born 1751 and died in 1829. He 
was known extensively through the valley to the 
State line, and far into the the Genessee country. 
Having been engaged foremost in the surveys of 
the Susquehanna Company, he was probably better 
acquainted with the country and the inhabitants 
than any other man. Every body knew Colonel 
Jenkins. During the Revolutionary war he was 
captured and taken with others to the British lines. 
This afforded him an opportunity to gain much 
knowledge in n^lation to the Indian settlements, 
and enabled him to give valuable information to 
G«.'neral Washington, when planning the expedi- 



Distinguished Characters. 137 

tion under Sullivan. Colonel Jenkins was chief 
guide for General Sullivan throughout the cam- 
paign. 

He was a very decided man. He declared he 
would never yield to the demands of Pennsylvania, 
and he kept his resolution. He never was con- 
quered, but went down to his grave protesting 
against Pennsylvania usurpation. 

Mr. C. Stephens remembers him well ; thinks 
Colonel Jenkins surveyed all of the seventeen 
townships, and Athens in addition, before 1786, 
while the Indians were yet on the ground ; that 
they were afraid of him, and he was not afraid of 
anything. . 



XVII. 



EARLY I]sna:ABITA:^TS. 



TIOGA Point was a place of great note among the 
Indians. It had been the rallying point for 
their warriors, and the rendezvous for their traders. 
Cornplanter, Big Tree, Red Jacket, and many of 
their noble braves have visited here, and met in 
council together. 

It was at Tioga Point that the great gathering 
of warriors from Niagara, Onondaga, and through- 
out the lake country took place, preparatory to 
their murderous expedition down the Susque- 
hanna, where, " like the wolf on the fold " they 
surprised the unsuspecting and unprotected in- 
habitants of Wyoming. 

During their wars with the whites of Pennsylva- 
nia many a poor heart-broken captive, children ot 
tender years, men and women, have been urged 
on their way to this place. 

It would seem from several accounts that this 
was the place of rendezvous for the captives taken 
in the wars of Pennsylvania. After an unsuc- 
cessful battle a man was looking out for a much 
loved friend ; he was informed that '' he was 



Early Inhabitants. 139 

wounded or dead or had gone to Tioga." (Taken 
captive.) 

Soon after the treaty with the Indians, and their 
removal, further apprehensions from them being 
at an end, many families of intelligence and means 
came to reside at Tioga Point, and established 
themselves in business. 

About the period of 1788 the township of Ath- 
ens or Tiogatown, as it was then called, began to 
be settled rapidly. Many families came from the 
lower part of the valley, princiiDally Connecticut 
people, who had been sufferers together in their 
various struggles. The heads of these families 
—Swift, Stephens, Tj^ler, Mathewson and many 
others, had bought under the Connecticut title for 
a small price, and placed their families upon their 
possessions, where they lived undisturbed many 
years. But Pennsylvania land holders were nu- 
merous, whose claims covered those of the Con- 
necticut settlers, and they were obliged to pay for 
their lands the second time, according to their es- 
timated value, which, however, was small. 

The country throughout this entire Point, from 
Cayuta Creek to the confluence of the rivers, was 
covered with pines, with the exception of a few 
buttonwoods and elms which grew on the banks 
of the rivers. The soil at that time was poor and 
unproductive, and with all these obstacles it was 
sometimes difficult to obtain a livelihood, and the 
bickerings and strifes about titles were constant 
sources of contention. Assault and battery were 
not unfrequent. Murder was many times threat- 
ened and several times committed. Mr. Erwin, 



140 Eakly Times. 

tlie father of James and Arthur, was sitting in liis 
log house, near where the present McDuffee 
hmise stands, when he was tired upon through 
the window and killed. Ira Stephens, the father 
of numerous cliildren, was killed by the heavy 
blow of a cudo-el while absent from home. Joseph 
Tyler, the father of Francis Tyler, was assaulted 
when at work in his field and struck to the ground, 
and then beaten till he was supposed to be dead. 
He was afterward thrown over the fence among 
bushes to be concealed, but he revived and was 
restored. His skull was so injured that he never 
fully recovered his faculties. The family was 
broken up and scattered. 

Daniel McDuffee came from Ireland to Phila- 
delphia ; from thence to Athens in 1788, where he 
bought extensively of Mr. Erwin. Mr. McDuffee 
was a tall and sprightly man, and played well on 
the tiute. " Come up to my house " said he to a 
young gentleman, who was also a musician, " and 
I will show you a raal flute." He had been a no- 
tt'd weaver in Ireland, and showed his skill in that 
line in weaving a piece of linen for a young la- 
dy of this neighborhood, which he offered to do 
on condition that she would spin the yarn. The 
off(T was accepted, and the result was an uncom- 
monly fine piece of cloth, some of which can be 
seen at this day. 

David Clement and Enoch Paine, brothers, came 
from Portland, Maine, in 1794 and '5, and settled 
at Athens. Ancient documents show that David 
Paine was em})loyed as Clerk of the Susquehanna 
Company, in 1795. He was early a merchant and 



Eakly Inhabitants. 141 

inn keeper, and in 1799 was appointed Justice of 
the Peace, and for many years was Postmaster at 
Atliens. He married Miss Pliebe Lindsley, sister 
of Mrs. Dr. Hopldns. Both were accomplished 
and excellent ladies. 

After Mrs. Paine' s death he married a cultivated 
lady from Portland, who survives him. Mr. Paine 
purchased several lots south of the Academy, 
where he passed the closing days of his life. His 
brother Enoch died there also, many years ago. The 
house occupied by his brother Clement was built 
by David Paine in 1803, and Mr. Dan. El well 
was architect. The old hotel was built by Mr. 
James Erwin near the close of the last century. 

Dr. Stephen Hopkins came from Morristown, N". 
/., about the same year with Mr. Paine. He is 
said to have built the first frame house on Tio- 
ga Point. The north wing of the Backus house 
alone remains of it. In 1802 he built his large 
house, still standing near the Stone Church, 
which he occupied many years. This was in its 
prime a showy house, and a place of great resort. 
Beside his profession as a physician, he did a 
large business as a merchant and inn keeper, as 
this was a general thoroughfare. Such establish- 
ments were in great demand, and being a profitable 
and popular business, many engaged in it. It 
was said that his table was not excelled by any in 
the western country. 

The Doctor owned the farm across the Chemung 
River, south of the bridge, which he cultivated. 
The high land is still called '' Doctor's Hill." 

His practice, too, was extensive. Many will 



142 Early Times. 

remember his peculiar management of fevers— 
that of prescribing hemlock sweats and rye mush. 
His theory was that it removed the fever without 
debilitating the system. Mrs. Hopkins was a re- 
fined and Christian lady. They had four daughters 
and one son. Two of the daughters were educated 
at Litchfield, Conn., and married W. and E. Her- 
rick, brothers. One married the late Doctor Hus- 
ton, a resident of this place for many years ; and 
the youngest married the late Kev. J. Williamson. 
The son married a daughter of John Shepard, Esq. 
The Doctor died suddenly, March 24th, 1841. 

Joseph Spalding came from Plainfield, Conn., in 
about 1796, and settled on the west side of the 
Chemung River, with his family. His son, John 
Spalding, has been known among us many years, 
and his descendants are numerous. 

The Murray and Tozer families came about the 
same time. Colonel Julius Tozer was from New 
London, his wife from Colchester, Conn. Mr. Tozer 
and three of his sons were volunteers in the war of 
1812. He had a large family, and many of his 
descendants reside in this town. 

Jonathan Harris, from Newburg, bought a tract 
of land south of Shepard' s Creek, near Susquehan- 
na River, under Connecticut title. Here he lived 
many years, but in 1800 a writ of ejectment was 
brought against him from a Penns^dvania com- 
pany of landholders, which required him to seek a 
home elsewhere. He was allowed to remain there 
several years. A part of the farm, where his son 
Alpheus lived, on the Chemung River, bordering 
on the state line, was bought for him by a son at 



Eaely Inhabitants. 143 

Newburg, where he spent the remainder of his 
days. The farm is now owned by William W. 
Shepard. The older inhabitants still remember 
Mr. Harris as a shrewd, eccentric man. Tiie ques- 
tion was once put to him as to the best occupation 
or calling for a young man. He replied that loan- 
ing money was the best business he knew of, but 
difficult to establish. 

Major Zephon Flower came to Sheshequin in 
1788, where he remained until early in this century, 
when he removed to Athens. He learned survey- 
ing of Colonel Kingsbury, and followed that as his 
profession. He bought the farm once owned by 
Colonel Franklin, where himself auvl wife were 
buried. Near them lies Louisa, a maiden daugh- 
ter, who has often been seen in our streets, with a 
basket of nuts on her arm, distributing to the 
children, and giving a word of good advice. When 
she last called on us, we inquired what she could 
remember about the famine here in the last century. 
*^It was bad enough," said she, "and a time of 
great distress among the inhabitants." She said 
they had a way of cooking up everything that 
€Ould be eaten. They lived much upon pursley 
^ and berries. When the grain was not more than 
half tilled out, they cut much of it, and dried it in 
their large iron kettle over a slow tire, then put it 
on the backs of the boys and sent it up to Mr. 
Shepard' s mill to be ground. Sometimes they 
pounded it, and no one ever ate better shortcake 
than they had at such times. 

Mr. Stephens' account confirms hers, and fur- 
thermore says that people began to be in a state 



144 Early Times. 

of starvation, and showed it in their emaciated 
looks, feeble walk, and lack of energy. Boat 
loads of Hour were brought up the river to specu- 
late upon. At one time a boat was boarded, and 
Hour demanded at a reasonable price. They had 
been offered sometimes as many silver dollars for 
a barrel as they could place on a barrel head. 
Parents often referred to those times when their 
children complained of their food. It is thought, 
however, that none died of hunger. The famine 
was owing to the fact that a greater number of set- 
tlers came into the country than could be supplied 
with provibions, and fewer boat loads w^ere brought 
up from lower Wyoming, on account of a scarcity 
there. 

The families of Minier, Morley, Griffin, Green, 
Lane and Watkins arrived early in the present 
century. 

Joshua R. Giddings was born in the town of 
Athens. His family were temporary residents on 
the farm of Mr. D. Loomis, (Queen Esther's Flats,) 
wliere Joshua was born. They removed to Ohio 
wlien lie was an infant. He became a man of rep- 
utation, and for many years was a prominent 
member of Congress. He was distinguished for 
his anti-slavery principles, which were then far in 
advance of the times. He visited the place where 
he was born a short time before his death. 

After the opening of the new century many val- 
uable inhabitants came in, which added much to 
the grow^th and improvement of the place. 

Mr. Stephen Tutliill came here in 1800, and 
established himself as a merchant in the Holenback 



Early Inhabitants. 145 

store, and occupied the h.ouse. Mr. Tuthill was a 
social, intelligent, Ibusiness man. Mrs. Tuthillwas 
a sensible, noble and Godly woman. "Her price 
was far above rubies." After some years they re- 
moved to Elmira, where they spent the remainder 
of their days. They accummnlated wealth, with 
which they were liberal and benevolent. 

Mr. John Miller, a merchant from Newtown, 
built the house now occupied by Mr. Stephens, 
which was at that time occupied as a dwelling and 
store. 

Mr. John Saltmarsh came from Fairfield County, 
Conn., in 1801. He was a graduate of Yale Col- 
lege, and was an intelligent, religious and useful 
man. He built the house which is still known as • 
the Saltmarsh House. He often opened it for re- 
ligious services, when visited by missionaries or 
Methodist preachers, before there was any place of 
worship there. He received the appointment of 
justice of the peace soon after coming here, and 
kept a public house, which was always in good 
repute. Mrs. Saltmarsh was a perfect specimen of 
a New England woman. Mr. Saltmarsh died No- 
vember 9th, 1815. His death was a great loss to the 
community, and an irreparable loss to his family. 
Mrs. Saltmarsh died July 4th, 1847. They had 
two sons and one daughter. The sons were en- 
engaged extensively many years in transporting 
mails at the South. Lorenzo Dow, a man remark- 
able for his eccentricities, visited this place in about 
1810. He stopped at Squire Saltmarsh' s and 
preached there. His preaching was said to be pecu- 
liar and very impressive. 



146 Early Times. 

The decision of the Court of Trenton in 1782, 
giving the jurisdiction of the contested lands to 
Pennsylvania, did not deter the Connecticut set- 
tlers from occupying and settling their lands, with- 
in the seventeen townships. 

Tliis right was understood, from the Confirming 
act, and other acts of leniency from the State, and 
it was difficult for the Connecticut settlers to fol- 
low up all the -complicated laws and changes that 
the State might make, which were adverse to what 
they considered their just claims. Hence, they 
were ever ready to contend for their rights, and 
all through the close of the last century, and even 
after the Compromising act was passed, there 
was constant litigation between Connecticut and 
Pennsylvania claimants, about land titles and 
improvements. 

Mr. Alpheus Harris bought of S. Swift a valu- 
able farm of four hundred acres, including Span- 
ish Hill, to the State line, under Connecticut title, 
about the close of the last century. Mr. Harris 
was a sensible and Godly man. It is said he was 
the first man that maintained family worship in 
the township of Athens. He lived on this farm 
with his family, pleasantly situated, many years, 
not doubting the validity of his title. In 1810 a 
suit of ejectment was brought against him by 
Jesse L. Keene, of Philadelphia, who had obtain- 
ed a State claim. Mr. Keene surveyed the farm 
and gained the suit. It devolved upon Mr. Har- 
ris to pay the cost, but Mr. Keene offered to pay 
it, and allowed Mr. Harris to remain on the farm. 

Mr. Keene afterward sold it to Pitney Snyder, 



Early Inhabitants. 147 

son-in-law to Mr. Harris, by whose family it is 
still owned. There were many cases similar to 
this. Mr. Harris wms engaged with others in the 
surveying of the State line, 1736-7. 

Some favor was shown to Connecticut settlers 
by applying to the Legislature, although they had 
not followed the exact letter of the law, and no 
doubt, in some instances, political power decided 
for or against them. 

Mr. Elisha Mathewson, father of the family well 
known in Athens, was one of the first purchasers 
under Connecticut title. He had bought of the 
Susquehanna Company a number of lots on the 
flats below the village, passing through the best 
part of what is now known as the Welles farm, 
and where the stone house now stands; also a lot in 
the village, on which he built a large frame house, 
painted red, in 1795. There Mr. Mathewson died, 
and his family lived in the house for a long time. 
The '' Mansion House," built on the site of the old 
red house, is in possession of Mr. Elisha Mathew- 
son, son of the early purchaser. 

Mrs. Mathewson being left a widow with a large 
family, was not willing to yield her claim to her 
home in the village, or that of her farm on the 
flats. The representatives of Mr. Carrol, holding 
a Pennsylvania title, had brought a sait of eject- 
ment in Circuit Court against Mrs. Mathewson, in 
1807, in which she failed to make any defense, 
feeling secure under the Connecticut title. Judg- 
ment was rendered against her by default, and the 
Marshall proceeded to put Mr. Carrol in posses- 
sion, by his representatives, but was repelled by 



148 Early Times. 

the family and friends of Mrs. Mathewson, who 
had barricaded the house, and prepared hot wa- 
ter, guns and ammunition, to quite an amount, for 
defense. 

The Marshall thought best to defer the object 
for a time, and Mrs. Mathewson remained in pos- 
session ever after. Mr. Henry Welles afterwards 
took possession of the farm on the Point, which he 
had purchased of Mr. Carrol, and removed his 
family tliere in 1823. He built the stone house, 
barns, etc., and bought out the settlers generally 
on the farm, excepting Mrs. Mathewson. Her son 
Constant, having become of age, acted as agent 
for the family, and pursued his object most as- 
Biduously. He repaired to Harrisburg in 1823, 
and in 1 824 laid his case before the House of Repre- 
sentatives, and met with friends who favored his 
object. In 1827 and 1828 he was chosen Repre- 
sentative and after unremitting perseverance on his 
part, tlie Legislature appointed Commissioners to 
appraise the land in controversy, and paid Mrs. 
MatlK^wson, from the public treasury, the sum of 
ten tliousand dollars. 

George Welles, Esq., came from Glastenbury, 
Conn., to Tioga Point, in the year 1799. He was 
a graduate of Yale College, and it was said of him 
that "his talents were. ten." Soon after coming 
home he was appointed justice of the peace, and 
was engaged as a land agent for Mr. Carrol, of 
Carrol ton. 

He purchased many acres on the west side of 
the village, and built the house where Mr. Harris 
now lives, and died there in 1813. He was the 



Early Inhabitants. 149 

father of the Welles family, residents of Athens, 
as also that of Wyalusing. He had three sons 
and two daughters, all of whom partook of the 
intelligence and refinement of their noble father 
and mother. 

Henry, liis oldest son, was attractive and popu- 
lar. He early became acquainted at Baltimore 
with Messrs. Carrol and Cat on, who were much 
interested in him, and through them he obtained 
the Welles farm. This engaging young man was 
once coming from Owego on horseback, and as he 
approached Pike Creek he found a gentleman and 
lady, strangers, also on horseback, who were in a 
quandary about what they should do. The creek 
had overliowed its banks, and it was not possible 
to ford it. As Mr. Welles drew near they thank- 
fully availed themselves of his offer to guide them 
through a rough way to a bridge where they could 
cross. They w^ere greatly accommodated, and as 
they all possessed uncommon conversational pow- 
ers, we must suppose they had a social time. 
They were soon acquinted ; Mr. Welles, Dr. Pat- 
rick and his sister, a beautiful and accomplished 
young lady, in intellect scarcely inferior to the 
gentlemen accompanying her. Doubtless they 
had an intellectual feast as they pursued their 
journey down the Susquehanna to Tioga Point, 
where Mr. Welles resided ; and by this time an 
attachment was formed between Mr. Welles and 
Miss Patrick, which they had not been antici- 
pating. The doctor and his sister tarried over 
night to rest, and then went on their way to Kings- 
ton, 80 miles down the river, where they resided, 



150 Early Times. 

witli the intimation from Mr. Welles that business 
might make it necessary for him to visit Kingston 
shortly. He went, and in a few weeks the lady 
became his bride. 

They immediately started for his home on horse- 
back. They ariived late in the evening of the 
next day at the ferry, a little below the village, 
and found it was not safe to cross the river with 
horses at night, as the water was high. 

There was no alternative but to remain at the 
ferry house, or cross in a small boat and walk 
home from the river. The}- did this, and were soon 
received in the embraces of waiting friends. Sel- 
dom has a bride met with so cordial a welcome. 
Her reputation w^as known, as a superior girl and a 
devoted christian. The few religions ladies felt 
strengthened by such an acquisition to their socie- 
ty. But owing to the dampness of the earth and 
of the evening air on the night of her arrival she 
received a chill, from which she did not recover. 
Her lungs became affected, a cough ensued, and 
notwithstanding all the efforts of kind friends and 
])hysicians, in twenty-one days after their marriage 
she died, 1809, the early bride of Henry Welles. 

After recovering somewhat from the shock of 
this altliction the l)usiness of life again engaged 
his attention. Perplexities about land titles had 
already arisen, but having the State claim, he felt 
sanguine that his cause was just and would be 
paramount to any other ; yet he was much an- 
noyed by the (^arly Connecticut claimants, par- 
ticularly the Mathewson claim. After much liti- 
gation relative to it, the State, alter many years, 



Eaely Inhabitattts. 161 

satisfied the Mathewson demand, as before men- 
tioned, and left Mr. Welles unembarrassed, in 
possession of his princely farm. In 1812 he mar- 
ried again, a daughter of Colonel John Spalding, 
of Sheshequin. 

Mr. H. Welles was first a representative from 
Lj^coming County, and after Bradford County was 
organized, he was sent two years to Harrisburg as 
representative, and four years as Senator, between 
the years 1812 and 1818, from the county of Brad- 
ford. Through his influence the Academy Bill was 
passed in 1813. He became a favorite of Governor 
Snyder, who appointed . him one of his aids, with 
the rank of general ; hence his title. He wrote to 
his brother of his appointment, who informed Mrs. 
Welles that a general would be there to dine. She 
exerted herself to prepare a table appropriate to 
her unknown guest, and when the time arrived was 
gratified to find that the general was none other 
than her husband. He died suddenly, on his farm, 
December 1833, aged 53 years, leaving his farm to 
his sons. 

General Welles was seldom equaled in intellect- 
ual and conversational powers, and was much 
admired in society. In his later days he was more 
inclined to religious reading, and whatever may 
have been his former views, he expressed his con- 
viction of the excellence of the Christian religion, 
and his approbation of the benevolent societies of the 
day. His business capacities were remarkable, and 
under his personal supervision his grounds brought 
forth bountifully, and his barns were filled with 
plenty. 



152 Early Times. 

Mr. C. Stephens, tlie oldest man living among 
us, was three years of age when his father' s family 
removed from AVyoming to this place, in 1788, two 
years before the treaty with the Indians. 

His recollection of olden times is remarkable, 
and li«' lias given us much information about past 
events. 

Francis Tyler was an enterprising lad, who find- 
ing he must depend upon his own exertions, was 
industrious and frugal, and engaged in whatever 
object of pursuit presented itself, and after a few 
years surj)rised his friends by purchasing one of 
the most valuable farms .in the country. With 
his continued industry and good management, 
together with the ordinary rise of property, he be- 
came a wealthy citizen, and has now arrived at an 
age of more than four score years. 

Dr. Thomas Huston came to Athens in 1812, 
married a daughter of Dr. Hopkins, and took his 
practice as physician. In 1824 he removed with 
his family to the west branch of the Susquehanna, 
and after several years returned to his practice in 
Athens, where he passed the remainder of his life. 
He died in June, 1866. 

A bachelor, whose name is not recorded, bought 
of the Susquehanna Company the lot of land below 
the Mile Hill, containing twenty acres. He had 
been suffering from hypochondria, and being in 
destitute circumstances he offered to sell to Mr. 
Elisha Satterlee his lot of land for a French crown 
and a bandana handkerchief. The bargain was 
made, and Mr. Satteilee went home and informed 
his wil\', who objected to the purchase, lamenting 



Early Inhabitants. 153 

that they should have any additional taxes to 
pay. This lot of land was recently purchased of 
Judge Herrick by the Railroad Company, for two 
hundred and hfty dollars per acre. 

Edward Herrick, Esq., was married in 1813 to 
Miss C. Hopkins, daughter of Dr. Hopkins. They 
made their bridal tour on horse back through the 
wilds of Pennsylvania, over rough roads, swollen 
streams, and through an unsettled country, to the 
interior of Ohio. It required many days to accom- 
plish the journey. He remained there about three 
years, when he returned in a carriage, with his 
wife and little son and a faithful negro man for 
driver. This was Peter Carlisle, whose numerous 
descendants are now living in the township of 
Smithfield. 

Mr. Herrick was admitted to the bar in Ohio, 
practiced law in Bradford County several years, 
and was in 1818 appointed Presiding Judge over 
the 11th Judicial District, consisting of Susque- 
hanna, Bradford, Tioga, to which were added 
Potter and McKean Counties. He is still living, 
at the advanced age of 82 years. 

Michael R. Thorp, an agent for the Pennsylvania 
land holders, bought a beautiful lot on the bank 
of the Susquehanna, where he erected a dwelling. 
In a few years his house was sold to Judge Her- 
rick, who has occupied it about half a century. 

Hon. Horace Williston was a native of Sheffield, 
Conn., and the youngest brother of the late Seth 
Williston, D. D, He studied law with Hon. Vin- 
cent Matthews, .of Elmira, and entered upon the 
practice of his profession at Binghamton, N. Y. 



lo4 Early Times. 

He came to reside at Athens in 1819. He was 
eminent in liis profession, and had extensive prac- 
tice throughout Northern Pennsylvania. As a law- 
yer he was distinguished for his strict integrity and 
love of justice. For several years he was Presiding 
Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial District. Though 
talented and popular in his profession, his surviv- 
ing friends love to contemplate his Christian char- 
acter, in the family circle— in the weekly meeting 
for prayer — at the monthly concert, and in his 
fidelity as ruling elder in the Church. Young 
men, just entering upon the practice of the law, 
have often been referred to Mr. Williston as an 
example in the profession that would be safe for 
them to follow. He died August 14th, 1855, say- 
ing : "I want to lie down in the grave and rest 
until the resurrection morn. ' ' 

These eminent men — Judge Herrick, Judge Wil- 
liston and Judge Elwell, were all residents of 
Athens ; and Judge Elwell, who is now presiding 
over the Twenty-sixth Judicial District, is a native 
of this town. 

Hon. Thomas Maxwell was born at Tioga Point, 
in the Holenback house, 1790. His family re- 
moved to Newtown early in the beginning of this 
century. As he grew up to manhood he was 
brought into notice by his talents and industry. 
He was at one time County Clerk for the old 
County of Tioga, N. Y., and was for many years 
Postmast(T of the village of Elmira. At the age of 
about thirty he was elected a member of the House 
of Representatives from the Congressional District 
where he lived, and his services were satisfactory. 



Eakly Inhabitants. 155 

The circumstances of his death were very pain- 
ful. Passing to his office after dinner, by way of 
the Railroad bridge, he was run over by a freight 
train and survived but a short time. The Elniira 
paper remarked : " The community has met with 
a loss in the death of this gentleman, not easily 
supplied. He has resided from his youth to the 
period of his death in this City, having witnessed 
its growth from a small village to a large and flour- 
ishing town, the center of a widely extended trade, 
and the terminus of railroads and canals, for 
whose completion he was a faithful and influential 
laborer." He was present at the "Old Settler's 
Meeting," held at Athens in 1854, and contributed 
much to the interest and instruction of the assem- 
bly. He died in 1863. 

Newtown was called by that name when Sulli- 
van' s army passed through the country, w^hich 
name was retained until by act of Legislature, in 
1808, it was changed to Elmira. The village was 
incorporated in 1815. It has been a place of much 
business importance. The Elmira Female College, 
which was incorporated and opened in 1855, now 
ranks among the first collegiate institutions of the 
State. Elmira is now a beautiful City, containing 
20,000 inhabitants. 

Owego is charmingly situated on the Susque- 
hanna River, near the creek from which it derives 
its name. The Owego Creek, meaning ''Swift 
Water," was an important boundary with the 
Indians when they disposed of their lands lying 
on either side of it. 

Mr. Draper purchased of the Indians a half 



156 Eakly Times. 

township east of the creek, embracing the site 
where Owego now stands. The Indian name has 
been retained with slight variation. The early 
settlers spelled and called it Ah-wah-gah, which 
Judge Avery considers more correct. 

Owe.ixo and Ehcira were half shire towns for 
Tioga County until a Court House was built at 
Spencer in 1812, where they held their courts for 
this extensive county. The Court House was de- 
stroyed by fire in 1821, and in 1836 the county 
was divided into Tioga and Chemung, Owego and 
Ehnira being the county seats. 

The medicinal springs at Spencer are much 
celebrated, and quite a place of resort for invalids. 

The country below the village of Owego on the 
Susquehanna, and below Elmira on the Tioga, 
down to the State line, is interspersed with many 
small villages, while schools and churches, which 
always indicate improvement, have b< come num- 
erous. A half century ago school houses were 
generally built of logs, and barns and private 
houses were used for churches. Many in the sur- 
rounding country will remember the crowds on 
foot and horseback which might be seen passing 
on their way up to the large ba,rn of Samuel Ellis, 
in Ellistown, or to the log dwelling of Mr. Hanna, 
(who livrd to be over one hundred years old). 
The intluence that spread from these early relig- 
ious meetings was salutary and extensive, and the 
spirit of them is felt by many now living. 

Several young men among the Tozer and Ellis 
families, together with a son of Judge Coryell, and 
some others, became preachers of the gospel, and 



Early Inhabitants. 157 

have spent long lives of usefulnpss. Some years 
after, K. Elwell and T. Wilcox, of Milltown, were 
licensed as preachers of the gospel. 



XVIII. 



MILLTOW]Sr. 



LATE in tlie last century a street was laid out 
in the north part of Athens, on the ridge, ex- 
tending up to the State line, and a settlement made 
whicli was called Milltown. The lots were large, 
and houses were built for a physician, a clothier, 
a tanner and shoemaker, blacksmith, carpenter, 
and deer skin leather dresser, which with the 
mills, store and public house, made it quite a 
business place. 

The burying ground was laid out as it now is, 
and a large log sclioolhouse erected upon it, which 
from its lirst opening was an institution of impor- 
tance. Dr. Prentice, an educated and useful man, 
was the first teacher employed there. He removed 
his family from New London, Conn., to Pennsyl- 
vania in 1797. A house was built for him on the 
hill, n»'ar th(» creek, and a drug store connected 
with it ; a part of the original building still remains. 

He was one of the sufferers in New London at 
the time that City was burned by Arnold the 
traitor, in 1781, and continued there some years, in 
the practice of his profession. He was an uncle 



MiLLTOWN. 159 

of John Shepard, and much beloved by liim. 
There was no place of resort that afforded so 
much pleasure as the house of Dr. Prentice, across 
the way, wliere visitors were entertained with 
books, interesting stories and ancient curiosities. 
Among the latter were the bed curtains, painted 
by Mrs. Prentice herself, on pure Irish linen. On 
the head curtain sat the King and Queen, crowned 
with regal dignity, with fruits and flowers sur- 
rounding them. On the side curtains were lesser 
dignitaries, with vines and grapes and flowers. On 
the valance was a vine extending the entire length, 
with clusters of grapes, ripe plums and pears. 
The work was neat and elegant, and the design 
ingenious. But what was more than all, their 
crowning value was, that they were much scorched 
and damaged at the time New London was burnt 
by Arnold, the traitor, during the Revolution. 

These were brought out only on extraordinary 
occasions to entertain visitors and particular 
friends. An elegant toilet cover, also stitched with 
the needle by this ingenious woman, and the 
antique silver cup and elegant china punch bowls, 
were among the curriosities exhibited, saved from 
the wreck of Arnold's depredations. Some of 
them are yet to be seen in the possession of child- 
dren' s children. 

Mrs. Prentice was the daughter of the Rev. Mr. 
Owen, of Groton, a friend and cotemporary of 
President Edwards. 

Dr. Prentice practiced medicine in this country 
several years. He died suddenly, in August, 
1805, much beloved and lamented. 



160 Early Times. 

His son, William, who was well educated, came 
into this country in 1798. He had been admitted 
to the bar in New London, and practiced law in 
Lycoming County, at Williamsport. A little more 
than a year alter his father's death, on his return 
from court, he was taken sick with fever at his 
boarding house, (Squire Saltmarsh's,) went to his 
home at Milltown, and died in a few days, in the 
fall of 1806. He was a young man of good talents 
and fine personal appearance. He wore his hair 
braided, hanging on his shoulders, according to 
the custom of the times. In his death the high 
ho])('s of his family and friends were suddenly 
blasted. 

Dr. Prentice's eldest son was a physician, and 
settled at Sag* Harbor, on Long Island. 

Another son was a tanner, and had an estab- 
lishment a little above his father's, oi3posite the 
residence of Mr. O. B. Spring. He went west 
with his family many years ago. 

One of the daughters married Dan. El well, of 
Westchester County, N. Y., a carpenter, who lived 
many years at Milltown. They outlived the most 
of their children. Some still living hold high 
positions. The surviving daughter, who had the 
care of her father many years, is living at Y anetteji- 
ville, where he died, April 19th, 1868, at the age 
of 04 years. Mrs. El well died many years ago. 

Dr. Prentice's second daughter married John 
Spalding. He was first Sheriff of Bradford County, 
and lived at Athens, opposite the village, until his 
death. 

The third daughter married J. F. Satterlee, who 



MiLLTOWN. 161 

» 

was a merchant at Milltown, and afterward at 
Tioga Point, where Mrs. Satterlee died. 

Mrs. Prentice was a lady of intelligence and of 
a cheerful temperament. When living alone, after 
her husband's death and children's marriages, 
she would often, notwithstanding her advanced 
age and bereavements, entertain her company by 
dressing herself in her rich damask, with long 
bodice waist and sleeves tight to the elbow, with 
wide lace ruffles and a long trail to her skirt, 
thrown over her arm, as was the style of her early 
days. 

Dr. Spring succeeded Dr. Prentice as physician 
at Milltown. He also taught school a long time 
in connection with his practice. 

The first school house was on the^ north side of 
the road, on the burying ground lot, near the 
present entrance. There the youth of that day 
were taught the rudiments of education, and many 
were graduated there. The school was sometimes 
visited by New England missionaries, who gave 
the pupils excellent instruction, and presented 
them with good books. 

The school had been taught by Dr. Prentice, 
Amos Franklin, brother of Colonel Franklin, Dr. 
Satterlee, and several New England men of edu- 
cation and refinement. 

But this seat of learning passed away suddenly. 
One morning early we were terrified by seeing it 
in flames, and the cumbrous logs one after another 
fell to the ground. Some business men from 
Philadelphia were once at Mr. Shepard's, when 
his young son, Isaac, was called upon to do the 



162 Early Times. 

writing. " Where was your son educated?" in- 
quired one of the gentlemen, when he saw his 
pt'Dinanship. Mr. Satterlee pointed to the log 
school house and said " it was there my son was 
educated." 

Captain Thomas Wilcox came from Tyringham, 
Mass., near tlie beginning of this centurj^, and 
Bettled at Milltown. He was a blacksmith by 
trad(^ and commenced life with small means. He 
purchased a valuable tract of land of Mrs. Shep- 
ard, for which he succeeded in paying by close 
ap])lication to liis trade, and by transporting goods 
across the country from Catskill, bringing sup- 
plies of dyestufFs, machinery, and various articles 
for the mills. Mrs. Wilcox was a humble and 
devoted christian. 

Fiancis Snechenberger was a German, who 
came from Pliiladelphia in 1799. He bought a lot 
of land in Milltown, containing about three acres. 
Mr. Snechenberger was a deer skin leather dresser. 
Loads of deer skins w^ere taken to him, and there 
dressed and manufactured into mittens, moccasins 
and breeches, until a load was made out,' w^hich 
he peddh^d about the countr3^ bringing home 
money and necessaries for his family. The day 
li(i was 70 years old he was drowned by falling 
into his spring. 

His wife was an Irish woman, who sometimes 
entertained us with her adventures. In early life 
slie left ]i(>r liome in Ireland, which did not suit 
her ambitious mind, and worked for her passage 
across tlie ocean. Wlieu she arrived r.t Philadel- 
phia, she went first to the house Avhere Major 



MiLLTOWN. 163 

Afidre was imprisoned, a little previous to Ms exe- 
cution. She understood tlie circumstances of his 
case, and her sympathies for him were greatly 
moved. She was afterwards directed to the house of 
Dr. Willson, and Katie became the nurse of the i n- 
fant James P. Willson, subsequently the Rev. J. P. 
Willson, D. D., p^astor of the First Presbyterian 
Church on Independence Square, Philadelphia, 
and predecessor of Rev. Albert Barnes. 

According to her own story, she received much 
kindness and many favors from the good mother, 
*' Madame Willson," yet sore offence did she give 
this honored lady,, when on arriving at womanhood 
she yielded her consent to become the wife of 
Francis Snechenberger, a German, who fell in her 
way. When Katie timidly revealed the case to 
her mistress, the Madame, with much feeling, ex- 
claimed, " Hang the men." She was loth to give 
up her faithful nurse and kind handmaid. Katie 
had been a great reader, and brought with her to 
this country a mind stored with royal lore. 
Kings and Queens, Princes and Dukes, with their 
retinues and historical peculiarities, were as famil- 
iar to her as her books and family inmates. 

She had access to some medical works at Dr. 
Willson' s, by which she acquired much know- 
ledge of medicine. After her marriage she came 
to this place, and conceived the idea of becoming 
a female physician and nurse. She soon acquired 
celebrity and had an extensive practice. Some of 
her garden herbs still yield abundantly by the way- 
side. She had one daughter, who married Wil- 
liam, son of Philip Cranse. 



104 Early Times. 

Another remarkable character was Mrs. Mead, 
said to have been a hundred years old when she 
died. She was a native of Dutchess County, and 
married a man much inferior to herself. 

During the Revolutionary war the British came 
suddenly u])on them and were about to take away 
her husband as prisoner. She affirmed that her 
husband was an idiot, and would be of no possible 
use to them, and must remain under her care. 
The argument prevailed, and she was ever after 
the sole director of their domestic affairs, which 
under the management of this energetic woman, 
afforded them a comfortable living. Her family 
made one of the first openings on the surrounding 
mountains, on a sightly spot back of Waverly, 
which is still called "Mead's hill." 

Josiah Crocker removed from Lee, Mass., to 
Milltown in 1808, and engaged with Mr. Shepard 
in building a fulling mill and saw mill across the 
State line, on the Thomas tract. Carding machines 
were added afterwards. 

Mr. Crocker had a large family of sons and two 
daughters, well trained after New England customs. 
The first object with him was to have the school 
house rebuilt. It is said that this good man when 
he went into the woods with his line and plummet 
knelt down by the first timber that was felled, and 
prayed that the house they were about to build 
might be one for the honor and glory of God and 
the good of the people. A snug school house was 
Boon erected on the opposite side of the road from 
the old one, where the higher branches as well as 
rudiments were taught, and foundations laid for 



MiLLTOWN. 1 65 

future development. Some distinguished men, 
l3otli in Church and State, have received their edu- 
cation there. It also served as a church, and the 
then young and talented, now the aged and ven- 
erable Dr. Wisner, of Ithaca, first preached there 
and at the academy at '^ The Point" alternately, 
on the Sabbath, in 1812 — 15, but after serving two 
generations the house was demolished. The dis- 
trict havino; become reduced by the removal of 
families toward the Susquehanna River, another 
school house was built, near Wheelock' s factory, 
which has superseded the. old one of cherished 
memory. Mr. Crocker built a small house for 
himself on the ridge, near Factoryville, opposite 
the mill where he and his numerous boys were 
engaged in carding wool, dressing cloth and saw- 
ing lumber. The morning and evening sacrifices 
were daily offered there, and it was pleasant to 
see on the Sabbath this long train of neatly clad 
and well instructed children following their parents 
to the place of worship. They removed west in 
1818. 

The earliest record we have of the burying of the 
dead in this place, is that of the soldiers of Gener- 
al Sullivan, who fell in the battles with the tories 
and Indians at Chemung in 1779. 

It is said that thirty of them were killed, but it 
is not known that more than six were brought to 
Tioga for interment. The presumption is there 
were more. 

Mr. C. Stephens, whose family came here as 
early as 1788, says that the dead, both whites and 
Indians, were buried along the ridge, where the 



IGO Early Times. 

burying ground was laid out by the Connecticut 
settlers, and afterwards given to the town by Mr. 
Caton, the Pennsylvania claimant and proprietor- 
It is not known that Mr. Caton ever gave a formal 
deed. 

The lot was fenced and many were buried there 
before the close of the eighteenth century. 

It was at first enclosed by a splint rail fence. 
A brisk northwester once caused such vibration 
of the splint43rs as to produce a doleful moaning 
which some thought resembled the voice of an old 
Indian woman, who had recently been buried 
there, and her superstitious enemies verily thought 
she was coming again to take vengeance upon them. 
Some persons of courao;e ventured to investigate 
the mystery, and reported to the troubled ones — 
mucli to their relief. This was one of the legends 
of eariy days. As we enter this hallowed place, 
solemn and thrilling remembrances steal over us. 
Here are gathered the friends of early days, 
with whom we have "taken sweet counsel and 
walked to the house of God in company." Fami- 
lies in their narrow house here rest peacefully 
with only the cold marble and the dull earth ta 
mark their possession. Men of business have 
hen^ laid them down to rest, wearied of the 
turmoil of life, the fruitless greed of gain, and 
the ambition which rules, but never satisfies. 
Pastor and ])eople, in a "Congregation which 
ne'er breaks up," are here assembled— faithful 
fatluM-s and tcMider motliers, blooming daughters 
and noblr sons, uniil the earth is moistened by 
tears and hallowed by sacred affection. Little 



MiLLTOWN. 167 

children too are here, the music of their voices 
hushed, little feet tire, little hearts grieve no 
more, for "He who gathers the lambs with His 
arm and carries them in His bosom, has safely 
garnered them into His upper fold." 

" There are treasures, deep hid in this mouldering earth, 
Precious gems laid tenderly down." 

" Who is that coffin for," said a young man as 
he entered a cabinet shop in this place. He was 
in the Hush of youth and health, a]id gave pro- 
mise of many years of life and labor. "It is for 
you," was the careless and jocose reply. "I 
am not ready for it yet," rejoined the youth. He 
was much nearer death, the coffin and the grave, 
than he then thought. In a few days he was 
seized with a violent fever, which in a short time 
terminated his career, and he was buried in the 
same coffin over which those thoughtless remarks 
were made so recently. 

" Walk solemn on the silent shore 

Of that vast ocean we must sail so soon." 

A new cemetry has been recently opened on the 
Plains, which will be made both ornamental and 
attractive, but the old burying ground should be 
carefully guarded and sacredly venerated, as the 
resting place of those who have served their gen- 
eration faithfully, and left to us so goodly a heri- 
tage. 

The Milltown burying ground, in the north part 
of the town, was given to the public by John 
Shepard, Esq., in the last century. 

He has been buried there many years, with nu- 



168 Early Times. 

meroiis descendants and friends around him. The 
gi-ound has been neatly enclosed by Mr. O. B. 
Spring, and ornamented with trees, giving addi- 
tional beauty to the surrounding neighborhood. 

From the first settlement of Athens, by the Con- 
necticut . people, their attention was given to the 
education of their children. As early as the sur- 
vey of the township, in 1786, we find on a map of 
that date public lands appropriated for that object. 
TJiis lot of several acres was situated north of 
the Susquehanna Bridge road, .the river on the 
east, and the road leading to Milltown on the 
west. It was thickly covered with pines on the 
north. Soon after* the settlement of the town the 
first school house in the township was built on 
this land, near the location of the present district 
schoolhouse. 

It was a small building of logs, suited to the 
wants and circumstances of the inhabitants at that 
time. The first school was taught by Benedict 
Satterlee. He was a Connecticut man, of good 
education and standing. As the country became 
settled, and a larger house was in demand, anoth- 
er schoolhouse was built on an improved plan, of 
hewn logs ; on the street leading to Milltown. 
This school was taught by Daniel and Elias Sat- 
terlee, brothers of Benedict. Elias Satterlee after- 
ward studied medicine and removed to Elmira. 
Mr. Samuel Satterlee was also a man of educa- 
tion, and tiiught at Athens, and w^as at one time a 
member of the Legislature. 

This was the only literary institution for many 
years. It is said to have been a very good school. 



MiLLTOWN. 169 

This schoolhouse was burned early in the century. 
A school was afterward opened in the large log 
building formerly occupied by Mr. Alexander, 
on the cross street, north from Chemung bridge, 
and extending through the Paine lot, to the Sus- 
quehanna river. * 

This was taught by a Mr. Thompson. The 
room was sometimes used for religious meetings, 
until the academy was in progress. 

The old academy records, commencing with the 
date, Tioga, February 11th, 1797, have furnished 
the following account of its first commencement, 
written by Mr. Daniel Alexander, one of the ear- 
liest residents : 

"Whereas, it is the earnest wish of many of 
the inhabitants of this town that a public building 
should be erected for the accommodation of an 
Academy, or seminary of learning for the accom- 
modation of youth, and also be occasionally occu- 
pied as a place of public worship, or other public 
purposes; and whereas the erection of such a build- 
ing on Tioga Point, and making other public im- 
provements, would not only be of great use and con- 
venience to the inhabitants, but would also have a 
tendency to enhance the value of land and other 
property, the subscribers to this agreement do 
therefore mutually covenant and agree to form 
themselves into an association for the purpose afore- 
said, to be subject to tlie following regulations.'' 

*No remains of this once important street are left. On it there 
have been two stores, a dwelling house, school room, and place for 
religious meetings, and near by a distillery, altogether making it 
quite a prominent street . 



170 Eakly Times. 

Then follows a series of resolutions, common up- 
on the organization of such associations, fourteen 
in number. 

The 12th resolution is, "the building contemp- 
lated shall be erected on one of the public lots in 
the township of Athens, on Tioga Point, and the 
construction thereof shall be as follows : It shall 
be forty-two feet in length, twenty-four in width, 
and two stories high. The second story shall be 
formed into one entire hall, to be arched and fin- 
ished in a handsome manner." 

Committee reported that they had decided upon 
a building lot. It was built by subscription, 
and divided into shares of thirty dollars each. 
The names of the subscribers, were Noah Mur- 
ray, Sen., Chester Bingham, Joseph Spalding, 
Levi Thayer, David Alexander, JSTathan Thayer, 
John Shepard, David Paine, Joseph Hitchcock, 
Elisha Mathewson, Ira Stephens, Elisha Satterlee, 
Samuel Campbell, John Spalding, Nathan Buel, 
Clement Paine, Julius Tozer, Jonathan Harris, 
Joseph Farlane, Daniel Satterlee, Simon Spalding, 
Thomas Overton, John Jenkins, George Wells, 
John Franklin, Warton Reid, Stephen Hopkins. 

March 2d, 1797. At a meeting of the stockhold- 
ers of Athens Academy, held agreeable to notifica- 
tion at the house of Captain Elisha Mathewson, 
on Thursday, March 2d, 1797, voted that Noah 
Murray, Esq., be chairman, that Clement Paine 
be secretary of this society. Voted, that Major 
Elisha Satterlee, Messrs. John Spalding and 
John Shepard, be trustees of this society. The 



MiLLTOWN. 171 

name decided upon was tliat of the Athens Aca- 
demical Society. 

March 3d, 1798. Kesolved, That this society- 
will petition the Legislature for an act of incor- 
poration, and also the grant of a lottery. Re 
solved, That the society will petition the Sus- 
quehanna Company, at their next meeting, for a 
grant of land, to be appropriated as a fund, for 
the said seminary of learning. 

The frame wa^^ raised and enclosed, but the 
work dragged heavily. After raising the frame 
and making some progress, their funds were ex- 
hausted, and the building remained unfinished for 
a length of time, and was used, so tradition says, 
by merchants and others for storing surplus 
property or goods, and that it actually became a 
depository for hay, flax, skins, and the like articles. 
This kind 'of testimony, though not reliable, 
would seem in the present case to be corroborated 
by a petition on record in the archives of said insti- 
tution, from the ''proprietors" to the trustees, re- 
questing them " to prevent any person whatever 
from putting hay, flax, or any other thing what- 
ever in said building." 

The fact that it remained for some length of time 
in a neglected condition gave- occasion to apply to 
it the language of a traveling poet : 

" Their only school house quite in ruin lies. 
While pompous taverns all around them rise." 

It must be confessed there was too much justice 
in the criticism in regard to the school house, but 
it may be averred the writer took quite a poetic 
liberty with the taverns. 



172 Eakly Times. 

May, 1808, they passed a resolution, and " au- 
thorized tlie trustees to advertise the academy for 
sale, to be sold on credit of twelve months, tlie 
purchaser giving judgment bonds with approved 
security." 

July 20th, 1808, they ''ao:reed that the vote ot 
May last, for selling said building, be rescinded 
and of no effect.'' 

In 1809 '-Clement Paine was requested tore- 
pair the building, and put the same in a good 
state of preservation, with a balance of one hun- 
dred and forty dollars due him, which he held as 
a lien on said building until paid." 

The upper room of the academy was occupied 
by the Masonic societj^, and w^as under their con- 
trol. 

1813. In consequence of a petition of several 
members of the Athens Academical Society, pre- 
sented to the Assembly of the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania, by Henry Welles, Esq., a member 
thereof from Athens, an act was passed giving the 
trustees of the academy full control of everything 
appi^rtaining to it as an institution of learning, and 
a grant of $2,000 to the trustees of said academy, 
which should by them be invested in some safe 
and productive stock, the interest of which they 
should apply to the purposes of the institution. 
The academy to school four poor children, not ex- 
ceeding two years each, gratis ; provided there is 
application made for them. The act passed 27th 
February, 1813. 

June 20th, 1813, Henry Welles was chosen trus- 



MiLLTOWN. 173 

tee, to supply the vacancy caused by the death of 
George Wells, his father. 

AN ORDER FROM THE TRUSTEES ON STATE TREAS- 
URER. 

July 10th, 1813. We have deputed Henry Wells, 
Esq. , or order to receive the money from the State, 
and his receipt shall be an adequate voucher. 
John Franklin, Julius Tozer, Abner Murray, 
Stephen Hopkins, David Paine, John Saltmarsh, 
John Shepard, Clement Paine." 

1814. Mr. Henry Wells recommended and en- 
gaged a young gentleman at Harrisburg for teach- 
er, with a salary of five hundred dollars — Mr. Syl- 
vanus Guernsey. Notice of school was advertised 
in the Wilkesbarre Gleaner and Towanda papers. 

On Monday, the 2oth of April, 1814,"Mr. Gurn- 
sey commenced the first school taught in the 
academy. Left March 6th, 1815. 

In 1820 the trustees "voted that the funds ap- 
propriated by the State, amounting to $2,000, 
should be applied to aid the company for the 
erection of a bridge over the Tioga river." 

March 5th, 1842, the academy was consumed by 
fire, together with quite a valuable library, philo- 
sophical apparatus and cabinet of curiosities. 

In 1843 the academy was rebuilt, under the su- 
perintendence of H. W. Patrick, Esq., at a cost 
of $2, 000. 

In 1829 the bridge stock was sold to Judge 
Herrick. 



THAMES OF PRECEPTORS AT DIFFERENT PERIODS. 

Mr. Baldwin, 1839-40. 

J.Marvin 1840-41. 

Mr. Merchant, ,.1842. 



Mr- Guernsey, 1814 

Mr. Wells 1815 

Nathaniel P. Talmadge,....1815 



174 



Early Times. 



Mr. Bush 1815. 

Mr. Wellington, 1816-17. 

Mr. Kee 1818-19. 

L. Butler 1822-23. 

Kev. J. Williamson 1824. 

L. S. Ellsworth 1825. 

G. A Mix 1825. 

E. Marsh 1828. 

Ezra Stiles 1829-30-31. 

Dr. Wui. McDougal, 1833. 

D. M Beunet 1835. 

Bennet and Patrick, 1836. 

A. Wilbanis, 1837. 



L. M. Pert 1845. 

F. Hendrick 1847. 

Eev. C. Thurston, 1849. 

E- I.Ford, 1851. 

J. G.French, 1852. 

A. Dunning, 1852. 

J. G. andWm. French, 1855. 

J. S. Hopkins, 1856. 

F. Bixbv 1859 60-61. 

J. M. Ely, 1862-63-64-65. 

A. M. Loutrell 1866-67. 

C Mullock, 1868-69. 



XIX. 



POSTOFFIOE AKD STAGES. 



PREVIOUS to the opening of the new century, 
^ letters were conveyed by private individuals, 
and packages of letters were sent by the boats. 
It was sometimes attended with considerable labor 
to open and distribute these packages, which was 
always done at Hollenback's store. The mail 
was looked for as often as a boat arrived, and dis- 
tributed with as much order as circumstances 
would permit. 

'No postoffice had been established at Athens 
until the summer of 1808, when Mr. William Pren- 
tice, son of Dr. Prentice, late of Xew London, re- 
ceived tlie appointment of postmaster. His office 
was in Hollenback's store. He was a young man 
of much promise, and his services in public li^e 
were held in high estimation. He acquited him- 
self honorably for a little more than five years, 
when he died suddenly of fever. From this time 
there seems to have been no appointment made for 
two years. Col. Samuel Satterlee officiated pro 
tem, when Mr. David Paine was appointed post- 
master in 1808, and served until 1818, when he was 



17G Early Times. 

re-appointed, and continued post master until 
April, 1824, when lie resigned in favor of D. A. 
Saltmarsh. Ebenezer Backus, appointed April 
3d, 1827 ; Lemuel Ellsworth, 1831 ; John Judson, 
1840 ; O. D. Satterlee, 1841 ; C. S. Park, 1844 ;' C. 
H. Herrick, 1845 ; N. C. Harris, 1848 ; W. Olm- 
sted, 18."53 ; C. H. Herrick, 1856; Wm. Fritcher, 
18G1 ; S. B. Hoyt, incumbent, 1864. 

Ebenezer Backus, Esq., was engaged for 
the government as traveling agent in the post- 
office department, and resided at Athens with his 
family many 3^ears. He married Miss Lindsley, a 
sister of Mrs. Dr. Hopkins. Soon after he came 
to Athens he boight what is now called the Back- 
us house, of Jeremiah Duke, built in 1816. The 
north wing, as it now is, was a part of the first farm 
house in this place, built by Dr. Hopkins, near the 
close of the last century. It was in this wing of the 
house that the Congregational church was formed 
in 1812. Mr. Backus had a large family of sons, 
and three daughters, two of whom married mer- 
chants of this place, Mr. Tomj)kins, who after- 
wards removed to Binghaniton, and Mr. Ellsworth, 
who removed to Chicago. Mr. Backus was quite 
genial in his temperament, and this characteristic 
was hereditary in the family. 

An early settler states that his first recollection 
of a mail carrier is of one Bart. Seely. For several 
years he made his aj)pearance once a week on 
horseback, with a small mail bag. Then came 
Conrad Peter, who commenced carrying the mail 
in 1811 with a one horse wagon. He soon became 
the owner of two horses and a covered vehicle, and 



POSTOFFICES AND STAGES. 177 

transported the mail several years from Wilkesbar- 
re to Painted Post and back, once a week. After 
that he became the owner of a covered Jersey car- 
riage, di-awn by four horses, which ran between 
Wilkesbarre and Athens. 

In 1814 Samuel Ovenshire commenced a line 
from Athens to Chenango Point, with a one horse 
wagon, which he ran for about three years. 

In 1816 Conrad Peter went with his improved 
carriage and four horses to Owego, and started a 
line once a week from Owego to Newburg. It re- 
quired two weeks to perform the trip. At the same 
time his brother-in-law Horton carried the mail 
for him, from Wilkesbarre to Athens. From thence 
to Painted Post it was carried by the Saltmarsh 
brothers. 

In 1817 Justin Forbes commenced carrying the 
mail from Wilkesbarre to Athens, and continued 
four years. 

About this time Stephen B. Leonard ran a stage 
with the mail from Owego to Painted Post, by the 
way of Athens. ' 

In 1820 the route from Wilkesbarre was extended 
to Ithaca. Mr. Forbes retained his interest in the 
rout to Wilkesbarre, and the Saltmarsh brothers 
ran a light two horse wagon from Athens to Ithaca. 
In 1824 Forbes and Saltmarsh resumed the con- 
tract to Ithaca, until they went South to engage 
more extensively in carrying the mails. 

In 1825 John Magee, of Bath, started a line with 
coaches tmce a week from Owego to Bath. He 
was succeeded by his brother, and he by Cooley 
and Maxwell. 



178 Early Times. 

In 1849 the mails were first carried west by the 
Erie railroad, and stages no longer run north and 
south since the opening of the Southern railroad in 
1867. 



¥ 



XX. 



SHAD FISHERY. 



ITHIN the purchase of the Howel tract by Mr. 
Shepard and Mr. Cranse, in 1806, there was a 
beautiful island in the Susquehanna Kiver, well 
calculated for a fishery, and one was established 
by them forthwith. 

Mr. Cranse had the superintendence of it, and 
in the spring of the year his family were much 
occupied with making preparations for fishing. 
Shad came up the river immediately after it was 
cleared of ice. They were of the finest quality, 
and in great abundance. They were caught on 
the point of the island, nearly opposite Mr. 
Cranse' s door, and afforded entertainment to the 
many spectators that gathered there to see the pro- 
cess of fishing, as well as profit to the fishermen. 
First, a net two or three hundred yards long and 
thirty-three meshes wide, made of strong linen 
twine, with weights on one side and buoys on the 
other, was taken into a large canoe. The canoe 
was then pushed up the river half a mile, leaving 
another canoe on the shore holding one end of the 
seine, while the first pushed across the Susque- 



180 Eakly Times. 

hanna, the men letting off. the seine as they crossed 
to the opposite shore ; when both moved silently 
down the river, pressing the unwary fish back- 
ward until they came to- the island on either side, 
where was a general onset, the men jumping into 
the water, d/awing up the seine, the fish flounder- 
ing as they were thrown upon the point of the 
island by hundreds, and sometimes more than a ■ 
thousand at a haul, while many by bounding over 
the net or breaking through it, would make a joy- 
ful escape. 

Then came the process of dressing and dividing 
them among such as were entitled to their share, 
and often have the poor felt rich and the rich glad, 
as they carried home their several portions, with 
the prospect of having fresh shad for supper, and 
a supply for days to come. At one time the shad 
were so abundant that the fishermen a2:reed not to 
sell for less than three dollars a hundred, but a 
purchaser coming on the ground, a man who had 
a quantity for sale told him he could not sell them 
for less than three dollars, but he would give him 
a gross hundred — one hundred and twenty -five. 

These shad came up the river in shoals, and the 
fishermen understood when they were approach- 
ing. Many barrels were packed in salt and sent 
to market. 

This luxury had been the blessing of the red 
man from time immemorial, and of the white man 
for many years, until the dams in lower Pennsyl- 
vania were built, for the accommodation of the 
canals. The Susquehanna River shad were said 
to be equal to those of the Hudson and Connect!- 



Shad Fishery. 181 

cut.. There were other fisheries of some impor- 
tance near this place — one on the Chemung River, 
which sometimes yielded a bountiful supply. 
Boys of former years, as well as of later days, will 
always remember their fishing parties, and the 
enthusiasm with which they have engaged in them 
both day and night. 



XXI. 



TROY AJSTD ADJACEISTT TOWISTS 



OUGAR Creek, a^ stream emptying into the Sus- 
^ quelianna at Towanda, formerly gave name to 
the region of country lying along its hanks. 

The Indian name, according to Mr. Maxwell, 
(who was interested in Indian history,) was 
"Oscoluwa." Conrad Weiser, a noted Indian 
interpreter, when on an embassy from the govern- 
ment to the Six Nations at Onondaga, in 1739, 
found the Indians living at the head waters of this 
stream destitute of food, and subsisting chiefly on 
the products of the maple tree, which they freely 
shared with liim. 

The banks of Lycoming and Sugar Creeks, ap- 
proaching each other, were a thoroughfare for the 
Indians from the West to the north branches of 
the Susquehanna River, and after the natives were 
removed, the wliite people, following their track, 
found a promising and inviting country on these 
streams, and located farms, and established mills 
at a very early period. 



Tkoy and Adjacent Towns. 183 

Great quantities of maple sugar were made in 
this region, and also in Springfield and Smitlifield, 
which, with the immense yield of native black- 
berries and other wild fruit, afforded luxuries 
which the early inhabitants of the more cultivated 
parts of the country did not enjoy. 

But large and thriving villages are now spring- 
ing up on the banks of these streams, and 
churches, schools and valuable machinery are in- 
dications of substantial imiDrovement. 

Troy, pleasantly situated on Sugar Creek, about 
twenty miles from its mouth, is a very flourishing 
village, containing many handsome buildings, and 
is a place of considerable thrift and importance. 
Among the first settlers were. Smead, Rundel and 
Case. 

Joseph Powel opened the first store in Troy, 
and an Englishman by the name of Philips kept 
the first tavern. The names of Ballard, Pomeroy 
and Long, are of later date. 

A Baptist Church was erected here more than 
fifty years ago. This church has been well sus- 
tained, and is now the largest religious society in 
the place. Their Pastor, now 78 years of age, 
Elder Sheardown, is said to be a man of talent, 
and his labors have been much blessed during the 
long period of his ministry. 

An institution of learning lately erected in Troy 
is an ornament to the place, and will do much 
toward promoting intelligence and refinement. 

Numerous villages are springing up on the line 
of the J^orthern Central Railroad, between Elmira 
and William sport, which opens up the beauties 



184 Early Times. 

of the country, and illustrates the truth of the 
stanza : 

" Where nothing dwelt but beasts of prey, 
Or men as fierce and wild as they, 
He bids the opprest and poor repair, 
And builds them towns and cities there." 

Smithfield was an unbroken wilderness until 
about 1795, when the first permanent settlement is 
said to have been made by Reuben Mitchel. 

In 1801 Samuel Kellogg, Nathan Fellows and 
Solomon Morse, of Poultney, Vermont, came to 
this uncultivated region and bought lands of the 
State for one dollar an acre, and settled with their 
families. 

They were organized into a Congregational 
church before leaving Vermont. They had a 
little money, with which they purchased some sup- 
plies, which they brought with them, and when 
their resources failed, they were obliged to leave 
their families and go to a neighboring towm, where 
provisions could be obtained. 

Squire Kellogg, when 80 years old, related some 
incidents of his new country life. At one time he 
w^ent away to work for bread, leaving as he thought 
a sufficient supply until he should return. He 
toiled hard about three weeks, earned twenty or 
tliirty busliels of gram, and took it to Shepard's 
mills to be ground, then hired a team to carry it a 
part of the way home, where it was left on the 
river road in safe keeping until he could return for 
it. It was becoming dark, and he started for home 
on foot, through the dense forest, five or six miles. 
He arrived home about twelve o'clock at night, 



Troy and Adjacent Towns. 185 

and found tliat Ms family had eaten their last 
morsel. Expecting her husband with a supply 
that night, the mother had borrowed a half a pint 
of Indian meal to make porridge. The children 
went supperless to bed ; the mother awaiting anx- 
iously the sound of her husband's footsteps, and 
remembering her promise to the children, that 
when their father returned they should be fed. 
What was her dismay when he arrived, to find he 
had brought no supplies, and the weary father re- 
traced his footsteps over this dreary way at mid- 
night to provide food for his perishing family. 
Through the woods and snow, amid the howling of 
wild beasts, he went and came alone. He arrived 
home about daylight. The mother was watching 
and waiting, ready to prepare nourishment for 
the family, of which they partook with cheerful 
gratitude and a hearty relish. 

The little church planted in Smithfield was like 
an *^ apple tree among the trees of the woods," 
which continued to grow and bear fruit. Kev. 
Seth Williston was one of the first missionaries 
among them. 

About 1805 Nehemiah Tracy and family moved 
uito the place, and gave much strength to the lit- 
tle church and community. There was soon a 
change in the appearance of the country. Stately 
trees bowed before these active woodmen, and in 
the openings here and there might be seen cheerful 
faces, domestic comforts, and abundance of wild 
fruit, together with any quantity of maple sugar, 
made by their own hands ; and more than all, the 
family altar was erected in every humble dwelling. 



186 Early Times. 

In 1812 they began to build a house of worship, 
which cost about three hundred dollars, and was 
accom])lished by much effort. The lumber was 
drawn from the mills on the river, over a very 
rough road, and it was said that Nehemiah Tracy 
sold his last cow to buy nails and glass for the 
building. The house stood near the site of the 
present church. Rev. John Bascom was their 
first pastor ; he married the sister of Mrs. Clement 
Paine. Mr. Bascom died in Lansing, N. Y., 
where he was preaching, many years ago. His 
son, John Bascom, is a professor in Williams Col- 
lege. Mrs. Bascom is now living at Ludowville, 
N. Y., and is more than 80 years of age. Rev. 
William Franklin preached in Smithfield five or 
six years, and died there. Rev. C. C. Corss has 
been their pastor many years. 

Thf^ articles for the Congregational church of 
Smithfield were drawn up by the Rev. Lemuel 
Haines, a distinguished colored preacher, at the 
time of its formation in Poultney, before the mem- 
bers emigrated to this country. This certificate 
reads thus : 

" Samuel Kellogg, Esq. Solomon Morse and 
Nathan Fellows, having manifested a desire to be 
dismissed from the particular watch and care of 
this church, and to unite in a distinct church, be- 
ing about to remove to Smithfield, Pennsylvania, 
County of Luzerne, (Bradford). The church ac- 
cordingly voting their dismission ; they took up- 
on them the solemn covenant of the Church, chose 
Mr. K(^llogg tlieir moderator and clerk, and were 
commended to God by prayer. 



Troy and Adjacent Towns. 187 

*'The subscribers being present and assisting 
tbem in the solemn transaction. 

*' Elijah Norton, 
"Lemuel Haines, 

Ministers of the Gospel. 
"PouLTNEY, yt., February 11, 1801." 

Mr. Haines was pastor of the principal Congre- 
gational church in Poultney, and afterward in 
Rutland, Yt., over which he presided many years ; 
much respected and beloved for his good sense 
and Godliness. 

Rev. Dr. Sprague, of Albany, in his "Lives of 
eminent New England Divines," speaks thus of 
Mr. Haines : 

" Rev. Lemuel Haiaes was a minister of color, 
and the most eminent negro preacher ever known 
in this country. He was the pastor of intelligent 
churches." In spite of all he had to contend with, 
he became a man of mark, respected for his piety, 
talents and usefulness, and was admired foi' his 
' keen and ready wit. " - ^ 

A physician of loose principles in a contiguous 
town was about to remove to a distant part of the 
country. As he passed through Rutland, where 
Mr. Haines lived, they met. Mr. Haines said to 
him, " Doctor I am owing you a small debt and 
want to pay you." The doctor said to him, "Mr. 
Haines you have been a faithful preacher, and re- 
ceived but little support, I give you the debt," but 
continued, ' ' you must pray for me and make a good 
man of me." Mr. Haines quickly replied, " Why 
Doctor, I think it would be easier to pay the debt." 



188 Early Times. 

Springfield, south of Smithfield, was named by 
settlers from Springfield, Mass. It was formerly 
called Murraysfield, for Noah Murray, whose de- 
scendants live in this region. He purchased a 
large tract of land adjoining Smithfield, and gave 
name to the town, and died there about 1812. 

Ridgeway lies on the northern boundary of the 
State, directly west of Athens, and is about the 
same size. Much of the land was originally cover- 
ed with pine timber, wliicli has been converted in- 
to lumber, and sold at very small prices. There 
is now in the township a very respectable Irish 
settlement. Thirty or forty years ago some of the 
Irish laborers on the Erie canal were induced to 
buy lands in that place. -Many of them went 
there and commenced clearing the woods. They 
were very prudent and industrious, and by dint of 
hard labor and severe economy, some* of them 
have become quite extensive land owners. 

Litchfield township was surveyed about 1795. 
John Pierce, father of Jack Pierce, who was deaf 
and dumb, and well known hereabouts, gave the 
name to Litchfield, after the town of the same 
name in Connecticut. Thomas Park was the first 
settler, in 1795. Samuel Park was the first cliild 
born in the town". 

J. D. Leray de Chaumont, a Frenchman, was a 
Pennsylvania landholder, and owned a great part 
of Litchfit^ld, and a considerable part of Athens, 
east of the Susquehantia. Colonel Kingsbury, who 
was his agent, was extensively known among the 
early settlers, and sold to the people iji Athens 



Troy and Adjacent Towns. 189 

tlieir back lands at State prices — about three dol- 
lars per acre. 

Eleazer and Solomon Merrill came to Litchfield 
from a county of the same name in Connecticut, 
in 1803. They came for the purpose of locating 
bounty land due their father, Eleazer Merrill, who 
was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. They 
settled on an elevated spot in Litchtield, near the 
Susquehanna River, made an opening in the forest, 
built a log cabin near a spring of choice water, and 
after a season of hard labor preparatory to bring- 
ing their families, they returned to Connecticut. 
It was a long and wearisome journey in those days, 
but they braved it through, and returned to their 
place of destination in Pennsylvania. They all 
ascended the mountain, the aged father and mother, 
sons and wives, and numerous children, and 
entered the humble dwelling that had been pro- 
vided for them. Soon they branched out into 
other homes. 

Being provident, they brought with them sun- 
dry comforts, a variety of seeds for planting, even 
flower seeds, which literally made the wilderness 
to blossom as the rose ; and a little money for nec- 
essaries, to serve them until their corn began to 
grow. They found the wild deer in abundance, 
and a variety of game and berries, affording them 
food and luxuries. The location has proved to be 
favorable to the families. Some of them are now 
said to be wealthy. 

Fifty years have made a great change in Litch- 
field. It is now settled by many prosperous 
farmers and valuable inhabitants, with good 



( 



190 Early Times. 

schools and churches. Lands which were then 
sold for three dollars are now worth twenty-live 
dollars per acre, perhaps more. 



XXII. 



FACTOETYILLE AKD WAVEELT. 



I^ACTORYyiLLE, in tlie town of Barton, * re- 
-^ ceived its name from the mills that were erected 
there in the early part of the century. First a 
fulling mill, carding machines, and saw mill, by 
Messrs. Shepard and Crocker in 1809 ; then a 
factory by Messrs. Isaac and Job Shepard, after- 
wards bought and enlarged by Mr. A. Brooks. 
This was consumed by lire in 1853. A tannery is 
now in operation on the same ground. Another 
tannery just across the State line was established 
by Jerry Adams about fifty years ago, and is now 
owned by Stone and Perkins. 

* The town of Barton was taken from Tioga, March, 1 824, ex- 
tending on the State line from the Susquehanna to the Tioga Kiver. 
The names of the pioneers near the Susquehanna River were Ellis, 
Mills, Saunders and Hanna. The latter lived to be over one hun- 
dred years of age. The early- settlers on Shepard's Creek were 
Hedges, Barnes, Newel, Lyon, Bingham and English. Blackberries 
and maple sugar were abundant, and furnished partial sustenance 
to the inhabitants. These early settlers were principally from New 
England, and were among the most industrious and reliable peo- 
ple. The Ithaca turnpike, mad^ in 1821, was a great advantage to 
them. 



192 Early Times. 

A survey of Factoryville was made in 1819, by 
Major Flower, from the State line to George 
Walker s. The Ithaca turnpike was made in 1821, 
and the Owego and Chemung road opened about 
the same time. 

A Postoffice was established in 1812 ; first, at 
the factory, and afterward removed to Mr. I. Shep- 
ard's store, on the Owego and Chemung road. 

The district was divided into large lots of land 
by John Shepard, Esq. , and sold, reserving a num- 
ber of acres for the mill lot, to Thomas Willcox, 
Moses and Elisha Larnard. These lots were again 
divided into village lots, which were sold, and 
neat and comfortable dwellings erected, and it is 
now a pleasant and thriving village. 

Mr. John Barker was a gentleman of intelligence 
and refinement, cheerful and agreeable. His 
society was much sought, and he was beloved and 
respected by all. He came from Durham, N. Y., 
in 1830, to settle the estate of his nephew, young 
Hotchkiss, a merchant who had established him- 
self at Factoryville a short time before, and died 
suddenly of a fever. 

Mr. Barker continued the business and became 
a citizen. He married a sister of Mrs. Isaac Shep- 
ard, and they were pleasantly situated in Factory- 
ville, when death removed the daughter, husband 
and son, in a few successive years. Mr. Barker 
died in New York City, 1855. 

John Hotchkiss, a younger brother of the early 
merchant, was a clerk for Mr. Barker many years. 
Industrious and enterprishig, he went to California, 
was successful in business, came home and was 



Factoryville and Waverly. 193 

married, returned again, and died of yellow fever 
on his passage back to California, in 1853. 

Mrs. Larnard, who resided many years at Fac- 
toryville, is a lady in whom refinement of manners, 
good sense and devoted piety are happily com- 
bined, and is still living at an advanced age. 

The first Presbyterian Church of Factoryville 
was formed in the spring of 1847, eighteen of its 
members receiving letters from the Church of 
Athens. The Methodist and Baptist Churches 
were formed there a little previous. The Episco- 
pal Church was formed and house built about 
1853. These churches are now ^11 located in 
Waverly. 

Waverly is also in the town of Barton. In 1796 
Mr, John Shepard purchased of General Thomas, 
of Westchester County, N. Y., one thousand acres 
of land at five dollars per acre, extending along 
the State line from Shepard' s Creek at Factory- 
ville, near the 59th mile stone, to 60th mile stone ; 
thence across the north end of Spanish Hill to the 
Chemung River, and from the Narrows across the 
mountain beyond Shepard' s Creek ; thence down 
to the State line again, embracing Waverly, Fac- 
toryville, and many fine localities back of these 
villages, as has been already stated. 

This tract was an entire wilderness at this time, 
except the flats and a few openings near them 
where the red man had tilled his corn a few years 
previous, and it had made a charming home for 
the wild deer and many other inoffensive animals, 
which herded and grazed, and roamed through 
the forest, and drank from the waters of the rivers 



194 Early Times. 

and the pure springs from the mountain. The 
venomous rattlesnake was sometimes seen in num- 
bers, but tliese reptiles, like the savages, have dis- 
appeared before the improvements of the white man. 

In 1819 Deacon Ephraim Strong bought one 
liundred and fifty-three and one-half acres of land 
on this tract, just across the State line, one hun- 
dred rods in width, about an equal distance be- 
tween Shepard's Creek and Chemung River, and 
extending back to the mountain. 

Here Mr. Strong, with his numerous sons, made 
an opening in the pines, of several acres ; planted 
corn and potatoes, sowed buckwheat, built a snug 
frame house, dug a well and set out an orchard. 
Some of the trees are still standing on the lot" now 
occupied by Mr. Fuller. 

Here this godly, intelligent and well educated 
household, the father a graduate of Yale College, 
and the mother a superior woman, lived several 
years. It was a privilege to call on this family 
and learn how to live and enjoy the comforts of a 
retired life, and look into their well read library, 
and hear this priest of his own family in the soli- 
tude of the forest offer the morning and evening 
sacrifice. Scott' s Commentary was Mrs. Strong' & 
princi])al reading, and in her obituary, many years 
after, it was said that she had read this work « 
through seven times. The family removed to 
Hudson, Ohio, where many of them have died. 

About 1825 Mr. Shepard paid Mr. Strong for his 
imi)rovoments and sold the land to General Welles. 
Shortly afUn- November 1st, 1835, Mr. John Spald- 
ing, of Athens, bought the farm. 



Factoryville and Waverly. 195 

One of the ^'old fields" adjoining this farm on 
the west, extended from the locality where Mr. 
Waldo' s drug store now is to the spot near where 
the depot stands, north of the State line, and is the 
ground on which the west part of Waverly is built. 
The other field was on the Pennsylvania side, wliere 
South Waverly stands. The old road from Mill- 
town to Chemung formerly passed between the 
old fields. There is a tradition that the old fields 
were cultivated by the Aborigines, and they were 
sometimes called the "Indian Fields." These 
fields were very familiar to the early settlers, and 
their animals were often pastured there from some 
distance. 

The public road was opened from Barton to 
Chemung through these lands and the lands of 
Isaac and Job Shepard, and a gradual improve- 
ment made. In 1846 Mr. E. Brigham built a hotel 
where the Methodist Church now is, which he 
called the Waverly House. The street running 
south from there was opened soon after, which 
was called Waverly street. 

A few buildings had been erected in anticipation, 
of a future village, and a Presbyterian Church was 
built in 1848. The lot was given to the congrega- 
tion by Mr. Owen Spalding. 

The Erie Railway now being constructed and 
fast approaching, the village began to grow rap- 
idly, and many dwellings and stores were in 
progress, and in the fall of 1849 the Railway 
reached this point. A depot was built, and soon 
the sound of the engine whistle and the rattling of 
the cars announced their arrival at the newly made 



196 Early Times. 

village, animating and cheering the expectant 
inhabitants. 

The village was incorporated in 1854, and re- 
ceived the name of Waverly. A few votes more 
would have given it the name of Loder. Since 
that time Waverly has had a very rapid growth. 
The business of the place has constantly increased, 
and now its busy streets, its churches, banks, 
printing offices and other mechanical establish- 
ments, its stores, and an institute of learning of 
liigh standing, all give unmistakable evidence of 
thrift and prosperity. ^ 

The early purchaser of this valuable tract of 
land once said, '^It would not be surprising if at 
some future time you should see the spires of ten 
or a dozen churches between these rivers," and 
five or six are seen already in Waverly alone ; 
and in a little more than twenty years a village 
of more than 3,000 inhabitants has sprung up on 
this ground. 

Spanish Hill lies a little west of Waverly. It is 
disrobed of much ot its foliage, and divested of its 
crowning beauty— the ancient and mysterious 
fortifications on its summit. It lies principally in 
Athens, and has been described there. 

The Postoffice was established in Waverly in 
1849 ; the first great fire in March, 1855 ; Waverly 
Bank cliartered 1855 ; Waverly Institute built 
18:)7 ; First National Bank chartered 1863. 

♦ Near tho village, on Shcpard's Creek, are the Waverly Paper 
Mills, erected in 1807, and now principally owned by Messrs. W. 
W. and C. H. Shepard, to whom we are indebted for the material 
upon which this volume is printed. 



XXIII. 



EEMAEKABLE EVENTS. 



A FTER the destruction, by a worm, of the large 
■^ yellow pine trees of the last century, and the 
new trees had sprung up and were clothed with 
verdure, the locusts appeared in 1800 and devoured 
every green thing before them. At first a worm 
that worked itself out of the earth in vast numbers 
appeared. The ground was alive with them. A 
shell next formed, which after a little time, opened 
on the back and the locust came out with wings 
and legs, resembling the grasshopper, but much 
larger. They soon fiew to the trees and bushes 
in multitudes, and devoured the foliage. They 
passed off the same season, but came again in 
1814, which many now living very well remember. 
The singing of the locusts in the pine plains above 
the village of Athens made it difficult to hear con- 
versation by the way. They nearly all left the same 
season. American locusts are said to resemble 
those of the eastern hemisphere, but are not so 
large. 

The total eclipse of 1806 is remembered by 
many now living as a grand and sublime scene, a 



igQ . Early Times. 

recurrence of which is not expected in this longi- 
tude during the present generation. The late 
eclipse of August 7th, 1869, approached nearer to 
it than any other we have witnessed, and a few 
degrees west of us the sun's disk was entirely ob- 
scured. 

A grand celestial phenomenon, a meteoric show- 
er, was exhibited in the heavens, on Thursday 
morning, the 13th of November, 1833, between the 
hours of two and five o'clock, and was witnessed 
by many people in this part of the country, and 
in this village, as well as through the country gen- 
erally. Those who were fortunate enough to be 
up at that hour in the morning spoke of it as 
brilliant beyond description. It is a phenomenon 
that is fully substantiated by astronomers as oc- 
curring periodically, though not always visible to 
the same extent, in the same place. Some sup- 
pose there is a region in the space through which 
the earth passes in its orbit, where such meteoric 
scenes continually prevail, and more or less may 
be seen every year in November, about the 12th 
or 13th. The newspapers throughout the land 
contained notices of it under the caption, "Re- 
markable Phenomenon," "Extraordinary Phe- 
nomenon," "Falling Stars." One writer remark- 
ed, "the shooting stars were harmless, and as a 
general thing vanished before they reached the 
earth." 

Another remarkable scene was witnessed in 
1838. An annular eclipse of the sun, as pre- 
dicted by astronomers ; when a most beautiful 
luminous ring was seen in the heavens while 



Remarkable Events. 199 

the moon appeared on the centre of the sun's 
disk. 

These unusual events strike us with wonder, 
while the ordinary exhibitions of the heavenly 
bodies make but little impression. 

" The glorious Architect, 
This, His universal temple, hung 
With lustres, with innumerable lights- 
Let not man withhold his homage." 



XXIV. 



IMPEOYEMENTS. 



WHEN our fathers first came* to Tioga Point 
there were no roads for the white man. An 
Indian trail, following the river banks, was the 
only opening through the thick pines. These 
paths, with the river itself, had afforded^ the only 
facilities for traveling. They were used only Ly 
footmen, the river was navigated by means of the 
'' light canoe." With a little improvement these 
Indian roads were used by the white people for 
many years. When the first survey of this town 
was made a road was laid out nearly in its pre- 
sent course from Athens to Milltown. The most 
direct route for the traveller, or the mail from 
Owego to Newtown, was by the way of Tioga 
Point, until about 1821, when a road was opened 
from the Susquehanna, via Factory ville, to the 
Chemung river, thereby leaving Tioga Point out 
of the accustomed route of travel, considerably to 
its disadvantage. A private road had been open- 
ed from Milltown through the thick pines to Che- 
mung, which was also much used by travellers, 
and afterwards became a public road. The cir- 



Improvements. * 201 

cuit from Tioga Point to Milltown, thence across 
to the Chemung, and down the river to the village 
again, affords a very pleasant ride. A few gay 
young men of former times once tried it on a Sun- 
day in a lumber sleigh tilled with straw. They 
scattered the straw as they rode along in their 
merriment, and thus the route obtained the name 
of ^'the straw line," by which it has been called 
ever since. It is said that complaint was entered 
,against them, and they suffered the penalty for the 
violation of law. 

Modes of traveling and conveyance were very 
different in former times from the present. Canals, 
railroads, steamboats, and even stage coaches, 
were unknown at the beginning of this century. 
It was common to see the footman travelling with 
his knapsack on his back. Riding on horseback 
was the common mode of conveyance from place 
to place, and even of making long journeys. 
Sometimes a gentleman and lady, or a father and 
mother with two children, might be seen pursuing 
their way in this style. ^ Another very safe meth- 
od of travelling was by means of oxen attached to 
a cart or sled, and often whole families were con- 
veyed in this way to a social gathering, or to the 
place of worship. Long trains of emigrants thus 
pursued their way to Alleghany or Ohio. As the 
country improved a chaise or gig was occasional- 

* It is related that " a bridal party from Catharinestown, on Sen- 
eca lake, visited Tioga Point, in 1793, on horseback, to find the 
nearest justice authorized to perform the ceremony.' The magis- 
trate was probably Noah Murray, Esq., father of the late Noah 
Murray, well known in Athens. 



202 • Earlt Times. 

\y seen, and in due time, wagons, stages and 
coaches were introduced. 

Parties to a hymenial engagement might some- 
times be seen wending their way on horseback to 
the liouse of the minister or magistrate. My fath- 
er being a magistrate, wedding ceremonies were 
often performed at hia house. The parties gener- 
ally came without attendants, and frequently both 
riding one horse. One cold and blustering Decem- 
ber day, when the doors were closed and the 
family gathered around a large fire, a sprightly 
young man with his espoused helpmeet alighted 
at the door and inquired for Squire Shepard. The 
object was soon disclosed to the Squire, and read- 
ily understood by the family, when every other 
engagement yielded to the occasion in hand. 
The nuptials were soon solemnized, and the 
groom and bride were ready for their departure. 
A white dress and thin shawl were the only pro- 
tection of the lady Irom the inclemency of the 
weather, and as she stood upon the horseblock 
awaiting the movements of her spouse, wath the 
wind whistling through her garments, she exclaim- 
ed, "why Philander I shall freeze." "Oh, no," 
said he in blandest tones, "that would not be 
consistent," and soon they rode rapidly away 
with colors flying. Squire Shepard never requir- 
ed a fee for performing a marriage ceremony. 
Morever it was his practice to present the bride 
with a Bible, desiring her to make it the guide of 
h('r life. 

Athens, or Tioga Point, was formerly noted for 
the number of its distilleries, there having been at 



Improvements. 203 

one time not less than six or seven in operation at 
once. The first one of the last century was built 
of logs on the back part of the lot where we uow 
live. The well for the distillery, and now in use, 
was dug by Daniel Moore, a Hessian, who remain- 
ed in the country after the close of the revolution- 
ary war. The well was in a dilapidated condition, 
and remains of the pump that had been used 
were still in it when we came into possession of the 
lot. The distillery was carried on for many years 
by Daniel Alexa-nder, and was then a lucrative 
business and considered reputable. The degrad- 
ed whites and Indians who still remained in the 
country were there supplied with whiskey. An- 
other in the north part of the village succeeded 
this, on an improved plan, having a windmill con- 
nected with it for grinding the grain. There was 
another at Milltown, and another still at Chemung 
Narrows. As these began to run down, three or 
four more were started on the west side of the 
Chemung river, and two on the east side of the 
Susquehanna river, all in this town, and were in 
full operation many years, when the temperance 
movement seemed to affect them unfavorably, and 
they tottered and fell. The whiskey now used at 
Athens is altogether supplied from other places, 
none being manufactured in the place or vicinity. 

The effect of the failure of these distilleries has 
been a decided improvement in the cause of tem- 
perance, and we may expect that when foreign 
supplies cease temperance will triumph. 

A most striking instance of the effects of intem- 
perance was the case of Moses Roberts, a.grad- 



204 Early Times. 

uate of Yale College. He came to this country 
about the close of the last century, and bought a 
farm in Athens, became an inebriate, and sank 
step by step to a stupid sot. He married an 
imbecile woman, became demented himself, his 
farm was sold, his children bound out, and for 
many years he made splint brooms for a living. 
He died near a distillery, and was buried as a 
town pauper in 1824. 

The Pennsylvania canal was surveyed through 
this part of the State by Mr. Eandall, Chief 
Engineer, about the year 1830, and went into oper- 
ation in 1854. Much of the lumber and other 
property that was formerly run on the river, now 
finds a surer and safer conveyance by the canal. 
Large quantities of coal from our mining regions 
are transported by the canal to market in the north- 
ern part of the State, and in the State of New York. 

The Pennsylvania and New York railroad was 
surveyed in the summer of 1866. The first train 
entered the village from Towanda, November 26th, 
1867. Regular trips on the road, from* New York, 
were commenced September 20th, 1869, thus facilit- 
ating travel along the river, and affording to the pas- 
senger a marked contrast to the previous mode, 
over a very hilly and winding road. We can now 
sit by our fireside and hear the whistle and rattle 
of tlie Erie trains, and can see trains on the North 
Pennsylvania railroad, many times in a day, as 
tliey ])ass along with whistle and echo. These 
with the foundry and tannery, make a combina- 
tion of sounds evincing substantial and cheering 
improvement. 



Improvements. 205 

A "bridge over the Chemung river was built in 
1820, and rebuilt in 1836. Another, and much 
longer and more expensive one over the Susque- 
hanna, was built in the year 1841. A bridge over 
the Chemung, at "Tozer's", was built about the 
same time. 

These bridges take the place of the ferries of for- 
mer times, which were often difficult ^nd some- 
times dangerous to pass. 

In 1844 it was announced in the public prints 
that Professor Morse had discovered a plan, by 
the aid of electricity, to send messages from place 
to place, with a speed exceeding anything before 
known. He applied to Congress for aid to make 
trial of his invention, on a line between Baltimore 
and Washington city, which was granted him. 
It was soon put in operation. Now the novelty 
is passed, and we with other towns can readily 
avail ourselves of telegraphic facilities. 



XXV. 



THE DEER HUlSrT OF 1818. 



" Up men ! arouse for the chase ! 

The wild buck is quitting his lair, 
The hills are gilded with light, 

And there's health in the balmy air." 

Ty^^^N t^^ ^^^ York and Pennsylvania boys 
" engaged in a grand deer hunt in this beauti- 
ful valley, in the fall of 1818, it was a gala day, 
such as they seldom enjoyed. The necessary 
]ilans and arrangements had all been matured. 
Fires had been lighted on the North Mountains 
the previous night, and the hounds sent out early 
to (1 live the deer down to the plains. Marshals 
for the day had been chosen to lead their respec- 
tive bands. The appointed day anxiously looked 
for anived, when about two hundred men, armed 
with guns and ritles, sallied forth from their homes 
in the early morning to engage in the exciting 
sport. A circle of men, of several miles in extent, 
was to be formed on the broad plains between the 
Susquehanna and Chemung rivers, extending be- 
yond the hills on the north, and to the southern 
limit of the ])ine woods toward the South. They 



The Deer Hunt of 1818. 207 

were to move in uniform time and regular order * 
toward one common centre, driving before them 
the deer that traversed the plains and hills, and 
were thus surrounded by the hunters, or hemmed 
in by the rivers. Many have doubtless been the 
joyous and frolicsome days of the sons of the 
forest, when with their simple bow and arrow, 
they sallied forth in numbers, and traversed the 
same ground for the same object. The Indian and 
his game have long since passed away from these 
scenes, before the resistless march of civilation, 
and they must now be sought toward the '^ setting 
sun." 

But to the hunt. The marshals of the day, at 
the head of their respective commands, and cloth- 
ed with due authority for the occasion, mounted 
their steeds and rode forth at early dawn, each 
having under command about one hundred men. 
Mr. Elias Mathewson, leading the Peniisylvanians, 
posted his men along the borders of the pine for- 
est below the Mile Hill, extending his Jine from 
river to river, about two miles above the junction 
of the two streams. 

The line of the New York men was stretched 
from the Chemung river, near Backville, across 
the hills to Shepard's creek, on the north, all be- 
ing at their posts, and in due order and readiness. 
At the appointed time the march commenced. 
Highly excited, the men on both sides pressed for- 
ward, eager for the game, watcliing every hillock 
and glen, and scouring every thicket that might 
serve as a hiding place for the deer. Often a 
lusty buck was started from his retreat. Here 



208 Early Times. 

&,nd there through the forest the timid doe and 
fawn might be seen darting away from their pur- 
suers, who still urging them forward from every 
quarter, were driving , and pressing them toward 
the place of rendezvous, a point not far from 'the 
centre of the present village of Waverly. Occa- 
sionally an animal more fortunate than the rest 
would break through the ring, and make his 
escape, but this only adaed to the excitement and 
eagerness of the hunters. The men were not to 
shoot any of the game, until orders were given. 
But now the lines close in as they approach the 
rendezvous from every side. Quite a number of 
deer are discovered to be within the ring — excite- 
ment is at its height, and orders are given to fire. 
The woods ring with the report of the musket and 
the crack of the rifle. Many a noble buck is 
brought down. Some of them stand at bay for a 
while, but all in vain ; while the cringing doe and 
helpless fawn become an easy prey to the pitiless 
foe, who give no quarter at such a time. As they 
approached the centre of the ring (said to be near 
where the Waverly foundry now stands), the ex- 
citement increased to rashness and recklessness. 
In their great anxiety to secure the whole of the 
game, the hunters shot in every direction. 

" In the heat of excitement men do not stop to 
consider,'' and suddenly it was announced that a 
man was wounded. This arrested the attention of 
all for a time, such an interlude not having been 
in the programme. The marshals ordered a cessa- 
tion of firing, and the eager inquiry ''who is it," 
went round the circle. The unfortunate hunter 



The Deer Hunt of 1818. 2a9 

thongbt himself desperately, if not fatally wounded, 
and the woods resounded with his piteous cries. 
Great was the consternation, and deep the sym- 
pathy among his friends and neighbors. The sur- 
geon examined the wound with great caution, and 
not a little of anxiety. As he removed the gar- 
ments, anxious friends were relieved upon ascer- 
taining that it was not a serious wound ; indeed it 
proved to be rather a slight one, from which the 
man soon Recovered. "Big Decker" also nar- 
rowly escaped being shot, a ball having struck a 
tree where he was standing, about six inches over 
his head. His ire being a little aroused, he asked 
to borrow a gun, having none of his own, to return 
the fire. But better counsels prevailed, and all 
was calm again. The business of the day had not 
yet come to an end. There were about thirty 
slaughtered animals to be cared for still, skinned, 
dressed and divided 'among the men, that each 
might have his due share of the spoils and results 
of the*\iay. This was the drudgery of the hour, 
but skilled hands apj^lied themselves to the work 
with a will, and it was soon accomplished. Dis- 
tribution was then made of a part, the remainder 
sold at vendue, and the men dispersed to their 
several homes, glad to rest, and with the coming of 
the night all was quiet and still. 

Such were among the sports and recreations of 
the dwellers in this valley half a century ago. 
Those who remain among us still, delight to re- 
count tlie feats of skill and daring performed by 
them in their youth and early manhood in the 
various methods of hunting the deer, both by day 



210 Early Times. 

and by night. Some of their encounters with the 
deer were not without considerable peril, though 
for tlie most part, hunting was regarded only as a 
pastime. 

At an early day, and for some time subsequent 
to the first settlement of the country, the deer 
were quite numerous. Often might they be seen 
bounding along their path, or turning to gaze at 
the passing traveller. We have seen a little soli- 
tary fawn pursued by the dogs, almost to our very 
door, and have often watched them grazing on the 
fields of green wheat not far from our home, and 
could scarcely begrudge them their delicious re- 
past. Hunting the deer was quite a business with 
a certain class, and their skins were among the 
articles of trade with the merchant. Yenison was 
a very important article of sustenance, and when 
corned or Jerked could be kept any length of time. 
The game from these forests and the fish from the 
rivers afforded the aborigines almost indispensable 
means of subsistence. 



XXVI. 



SOLDIERS. 



A T the time of the Declaration of Independ- 
^ ence, in 1776, the soil of Athens had scarcely 
"been trod by the white man. Traders had bcca- 
eionally passed through the valley, and it is said 
that a partial survey of the townshii^ was made as 
early as 1777, by John Jenkins, the noted and fear- 
less surveyor of- the Susquehanna Compan3^ But 
soon after that time, the tories assembled here and 
at Chemung in great numbers, and planned their 
fiendish designs against Wyoming. 

Several companies had been raised for the Cc)n- 
tinental service from the lower part of the valley, 
much to the disadvantage of the inhabitants, leav- 
ing them unprotected from Biitish and savage 
ferocity combined, which overwhelmed them in 
1778. 

Many of the old soldiers, after the close of the 
war, removed from Wj^oming up the river, and 
quite a number located in and about this place,* 
then called Tioga Point. We remember some of 
the aged veterans, and sho ild like to record the 
names of them all if they could be obtained. 



212 Early Times. 

Several soldiers and some prominent officers set- 
tl«^d at Slieshequin. Many of them lie in our biiry- 
ing places. Colonel Franklin and Major Flower 
were buried on their farms across the river. 

It was a cnstom with the merchants of the place 
to collect from the government the pensions of 
these aged soldiers, making advances to them in 
gof)ds, provisions, etc., and when they assembled 
annually for a settlement, and to 2:reet each other, 
to give them an entertainment at the hotel. On 
such occasions they sometimes assembled at the 
place of public worship to hear an appropriate dis- 
course. There was an agreement between two of 
these veterans, Archy Temple and Solomon Tal- 
liday, that when the first died the survivor should 
fire a volley over his grave, which was fulfilled to 
the letter. 

Military customs were kept up by our people 
from the' earliest settlement. Regular seasons for 
drilling were observed, and at the time appointed 
for general training the various companies collect- 
ed on parade, with martial music to enliven the 
scene. "A light horse company," so-called, with 
uniform of blue and red, with flowing sashes and 
nodding plumes, made a specially fine appearance 
on their noble steeds. AVhen called upon, in 1812, 
to resist British aggression again, they were some- 
what i)repared for the conflict. Several volunteer 
companies went from this region to the Canada 
^lines, the seat of war. 

Captain Julius Tozer, with three of his sons, 
Julius, Samufl and Guy, were among the num- 
ber ; together with Elishama Tozer, 'Daniel Satter- 



SOLDIEKS. 213 

lee, John Brown, William Drown, Samuel Bald- 
win, several of the name of Wilson, four named 
Ellis, and several from neighboring towns ; all at- 
tached to the regiment of Colonel Dobbins. The 
effect of this war was not felt so much in this part 
of the country as in many other places, except by 
the soldiers themselves, and its influence upon 
prices, which were marvellously high. When it 
was announced in the newspapers, in December, 
1815, that peace had been proclaimed, and con- 
firmed by the arrival of Coonrod Peter, the driver 
and proprietor of the weekly stage, with his white 
flag flying, it was a time of great rejoicing, and 
Athens was brightly illuminated at night, and the 
merry sleigh bells were sounding in the street till 
a late hour of that cold December night. 

The nation was less prepared for war in 1861. 
Therehad been a long period of uninterrupted peace. 
The militia system was in bad repute generally. 
In this place, and in many parts of our country, it 
had been treated with ridicule and contempt. It 
had come to be considered so incompatible with 
the genius of our civil institutions, . that militia 
drills and parades were no longer witnessed. The 
feeling of security was such that military matters 
were very unpopular, and all attention to them 
considered an unnecessar}^ expense of time and 
money. The present generation had not heard 
the sound of war or battle. We were at peace 
among ourselves and with other nations, and when < 
the attack was made upon Fort Sumter, in April, 
1861, and the proclamation of the President was 
issued, calling for 75,000 men, to hasten to Wash- 



214 Early Times. 

ington, for the defense of the Capital and the 
go"vernment, we were but poorly prepared to meet 
the emergency. Men of peaceable and quiet habits 
of life, aroused by the necessities of the case, be- 
gan to ask what they could do for their country, 
and boys, too, whose enquiring minds had led 
tliera to examine military books, were inspired 
with a martial spirit, and offered themselves will- 
ingly in response to the call. They left their 
peaceful homes and joined the army, where they 
found themselves subjected to many dis^^omforts 
and deprivations, but they were not forgotten by 
friends who remained at home. From the com- 
mencement of the war, many supplies were sent 
from time to time by the ladies of Athens to their 
sons and bi'others, of which no account was kept. 
But on the 30th of May, 1864, the ladies met at 
the basement of the Episcopal church, for the pur- 
pose of forming a society to aid the Christian Com- 
mission. After the election of officers, it was re- 
solved to divide the town into districts, and ap- 
point a committee of sixteen to solicit contribu- 
tions monthly to the Ladies' Aid Society, auxiliary 
to the American Christian Commission, for the re- 
lief and beneht of the soldiers. TJie society went 
into successful operation, and the object was faith- 
fully followed up until the close of the war. The 
money raised th:it year by this society amounted 
to $638, besides thirty-three boxes sent by the po- 
-cii^ty and individuals. The bounty money for 
soldiers raist^d by taxation in the borough of 
Athens amounted to $15,100, and besides these 
sums, other contributions were made by the people 



Soldiers. 215 

for tlie benefit of the soldiers ; thus showing their 
sympathy for the cause of their common country. 
The firing on Fort Sumter and the President's 
proclamation calling to arms were in April. The 
first company was raised at Athens in May, and 
reported at Harrisburg, commanded by Captain 
William Bradbury, Company F, Sixth Regiment 
Pennsylvania Reserves. The following is a list of 
the men belonging to Captain Bradbury' s company: 
Captain, AVm. Bradbury ; 1st Lieutenant, L. I). 
Forrest ; 2d Lieutenant, W. A. Meeker. Sergeants 
— 1st. William S. Briggs, 2d. Horace W. Perkins, 
3d. G. F. Kinney, 4th. Myron Low,+ 5th. Marshall 
O. Hicks. Corporals — 1st. O. D. Lyons, 2d. 
George Perkins Rogers,* 3d. George L. Gardner, 
4th. Silas J. Fritcher, 5th. Samuel S. Baker, 6th. 
J[eremiah French, 7th. John W. Schouten, 8th. 
William Lang ford. "^ Privates — Orlando Benson,* 
Patrick Burk,:j: Jason F. Bloodgood, William 
Boughton, Eben Brown, Edward Brigham, En- 
bulus Brigham, Thomas Barney^ Charles E. 
Brown, Franklin M. Cole, Samuel W. Cole, John 
P. Colemar>, F. D. Campbell, Nathaniel Camp- 
bell, W. M. Chapman, Stephen Crayon, William 
Crayon, James Cooper, Benjamin M. Clark, 
Aaron Daily, James E. Demarest, Elijah DeCroff, 
Cornelius t)riscoll, Dennis Drummy, Malcom H. 
Drojce,* Walter Earns worth, Charley F. Fuller, 
John F. Flinn,^ Orison Forest, Lorin W. Forest, 
William Foran, Joseph French, S. G. French, 

t Killed at Antietam. 

t Killed at Fredericksburg, 

* Promoted to Sergeant, 



216 Early Times. 

B.'nnett French, Truman E. French, Owen Finlan, 
Alfred H. Forest, James R. Fox, Gordon Wel- 
lington,! Julius M. Hughes,:! Michael Heavener, 
Sevellan Hicks, James E. Hall, Isaac Jones, Rich- 
ard King, Horace Keeler, John Keyser, Orrin D. » 
S. Kinney, C. S. Kinney, Flemming T. Lent, 
William Murray, John Munn, Tilden Munn, C. 
B. McXannon, Charles Merritt, Michael Moug- 
han, Alfred D. C. Miller, D. T. McKean, William i 

Nolte, Vincent Odell, A. J. Oret, John C. Pierce, I 

Jacob E. Plielps, George M. Page, Isaac A. Rice,/- — v. 
Murray M. Rogers. Mason E. Rogers, f Francis M. 
Sherman, George W. Spalding, John M. Schry- 
mer, James Struble, Horace Struble, Aaron Stone, 
Daniel Smith, William Tanner, Perry C. Taylor, 
William N. Waldron, D. C. AYright, Francis E. 
Wheaton,t James H. Wilson, William Walker, 
H(^zekiah Wallace. Musicians — Dighton Phelps, 
William H. Lawrence, Harry Smith. 

Company H, 57th Regiment Pennsylvania Yol- 
nnteers, commanded by Captain John Griffin, 
was the second company raised at Athens. This 
was in the fall of 1861. The following is a list of 
officers and men at its muster November 2oth, 
18G1 : 

Captain, John Griffin; 1st Lieutenant, Daniel 
Miner ; 2d Lieutenant, Richard Sinsabaugh ; 1st 
Sergeant, Joseph Brady; Musician,S. Gibson Shaw; 
Wagoner, Samuel Marshall. Privates— Mortimer 
Anthony, Joseph Armstrong, Henry Armstrong, 
John Biirnside, James Brady, James Childs, 

II Killed at liull Run. 
+ Killed at Autietam. 



Soldiers. 217 

Joseph Clark, Charles Chandler, John M. Chand- 
ler, Joseph Clark, George Conrad, Willard Con- 
rad, William Conrad, Francis Conrad, William 
Drake, Ward Eastabrooks, Lyman Forest, Henry- 
Forbes, Almon Gillett, D. AVebster Gore, Samuel 
W. Gore, Eli F. Hudson, Abram Miller, Milo Mil- 
ler, Solomon Miller, Amos Miller, Orrin O. Mer- 
rill, Charles W. Murray, John E. Moore, John 
O' Conner, Henry Owens, John C. Parkes, Elmer 
Phelps, Alvin R. Phalon, William Phinney, 
Hanford Kolinson, Alpheus Sinsabaugh, Victor 
Stephens, Orange Shores, Bemer Smith, William 
Smith, Emery Stickles, Joseph Tripp, Harrison 
Van Yechten, Levi xlnson, Lafayette } Anson, 
Daniel Keeler, William Strickland, Russel Sisson, 
Edward S. Perkins, Henry Williams, Charles 
Williams, Oscar Shores, Robert Edmiston, Eras- 
tus Green, Hugh Farley, L. Orville Snell, Ezra 
Spalding, Thomas Dunglass, Allen Chandler, 
Harrison S. Munn, O. D. Roberts, John H. Rowe, 
Nathan Gordon, William Wright, John M. Rolfe, 
Adelbert Hart, Patrick Doherty, " Pison Ellis, 
Merrill McAllistei', Harrison C. Perkins, John M. 
Chamberlain, Thomas M. Guernsay, Joseph B. 
Evans, John Griffin, James A. Shores, George M. 
Burns, Samuel Laton, M. D. Mills, George W. Per- 
kins, "^ Lewis F. Roe, Franklin Shaw, James 
Wheaton, William Crans, William Decker, James 
L. Murty, Charles W. Hepburn. 

The third company, commanded by Captain J. 
B. Reeve, was raised in connection with an effort 

♦ Promoted to Lieiitenant-Colonel. 



218 Early Times. 

made at Springfield, in this county, to raise a 
C()mpan3^ Tlie volunteers of both places were 
consolidat(^d and formed one company in August, 
1862, Company E, 141st Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

The following is a list of the men belonging to 
Captain Reeve's company : Captain, Joseph B. 
Reeve ; 1st Lieutenant, J. F. Clark ; 2d Lieuten- 
ant, Gr. C. Page ; Sergeants — Stephen Evans, 
Tracy S. Knapp, Mason Lons', William S. Wright, 
AVilliam Carner. Corporals — Orlando E. Loomis, 
James W. Clark, Alonzo D. Beach, Charles M. 
Neal,* William R. Campbell, C. T. Hull, R. Claf- 
Hin.f Musicians— AV. H. Powers, B. Munn. 
Privates — H. D. Kinney, Calvin Alexander, James 
M. Beach, E. W. Baker, Eli R. Booth, Lyman 
Dunn, Daniel Daines. Melvin Douglass, Aaron 
Eddy, George Frederick, Wm. Frederick, Abram 
Frederick, John Frederick, Michael Finney, Tru- 
man G-alusha, Tlioma^ N. Gilmore, Franklin 
Granger, Isaac Gillet, John Henry, George Huff, 
John Huff, Andrew Huff, Lorenzo D. Hill, 
Matthew Plowie, Daniel Hiney, Horace Howe, Rus- 
sel Hadlock, James H. Harris, George Johnson, 
E. M. Jackson, John M. Jackson, Charles A. 
Knapp, ^ Jac. Lawrence, Alexander Lane, 2d., 
Isaac C. Lane, William E. Loring, E. P. Lenox, 
G<'orge W. Lord, John Mustart, John Miller, 
Ahmson Miller, Elias H. Merithew, William Mil- 
ler, Jam-s K. Martin, Robert McKinney, Frank- 
lin Nickerson, Riley Pruyne, Martin B. Phelps, 

* Killed at Chancellorville. 
t Killed at Gettysburg. 



Soldiers. 219 

W. D. Powers, Charles H. Packard, George Pow- 
ers, Edward Price, Levi B. Rogers, Geoige Rog- 
ers, Adson B. Stone, William Smith, Orrin J). 
Snyder, John P. Snyder, John Sanster, Charles 
G. Sawyer, Charles Tibbetts, Evarts Wandall, 
W. W. Wilson, Dealmond AY-atkins, Albert Wat- 
kins. 

Many other volunteers went from this place and 
eiUisted in the State of New York and other places. 
Among the number were Henry W. and Augus- 
tus S. Perkins, brothers, both of whom joined 
the 50th New York Engineer Regiment as Lieu- 
tenants. Both were promoted to Captaincies. 
The lormer was soon appointed aid to General 
Butterfield, with additional rank, and served with 
high credit for capacity and * bravery to the close 
of the war, and was honorably discharged with 
the rank of Brigadier-General. Augustus was 
killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, in Decem- 
ber, 1862, deeply lamented by his companions in 
arms and by all who knew him. 



XXVII. 

FLOODS. 



SUSQUEIIA^'NA AND CHEMUNG RIVERS. 

THESE beautiful streams, one on each side of Ath- 
ens village, usually flow very quietly by, adding 
much to the beauty of the landscajDes, viewed 
from the neighboring hill tops. There is in them 
a succession of rapids and pools, but no dead 
water, and no unhealthy marshes along the shores. 
A writer remarks : ' ' That if there be a more beau- 
tiful river on the continent we have not seen it. 
From its source in Otsego Lake, to its union with 
the Chesapeake, every mile of the Susquehanna is 
beautiful. Other rivers have their points of love- 
liness or of grandeur. The Susquehanna has every 
form of beauty and sublimity." A missionary 
lady in Oriental Turkey, formerly of this place, 
writes to an invalid friend, living on the banks of 
this river : "I should love to sit with you at your 
window, to liear the voice of the Susquehanna 
once more. I love that river greatly." The ac- 
knowledged healthfulness of this part of the coun- 



Floods. 221 

try is attributed in part, at least, to the constant 
and regular flow of these pure streams. 

But these rivers, though so universally admired 
by strangers, as well as by those who dwell upon 
their banks, do not always present the same 
attractive appearance. There are other features 
at times that are quite the reverse. The melting 
of the snows and the warm spring rains always 
swell the streams, sometimes causing a general 
overflow of the banks, often sweeping away the 
fences and carrying off" trees, the growth of ages, 
the islands and low grounds being almost literally 
covered with drift wood. At such times, not only 
trees and fences, but lumber, and parts of bridges, 
and of buildings, may be seen floating over the 
surface, in indiscriminate confusion. 

ICE FRESHET. 

In the spring of 1784 the inhabitants all through 
the valley suffered greatly from the sudden break- 
ing up of the ice in the rivers. It had been an in- 
tensely cold season, with great quantities of snow. 
There came an interval of a few days of uncom- 
monly warm weather, which melted the snow in a 
measure. This was succeeded by severe cold 
weather, making vast quantities of ice. Warm 
weather returned again and the waters began to 
flow. The dams of ice that were formed obstructed 
the waters, and they sought other than the wonted 
channels, sometimes 'overwhelming retired farms, 
and filling the dwellings with water^ followed by 
the crasli of the moving bodies of ice hurried on 
by the raging waters, destroying everything before 



222 Early Times. 

it. The suffering of the inhabitants, in the lower 
part of the valley, from this freshet, was very great. 

PUMPKIN FLOOD. 

In the fall of 1786, when the crops of corn and 
pumpkins were still on the ground, continuous 
rains produced a freshet which has seldom been 
equaled. The crops were swept away, and the 
bosom of tlie river was covered with floating pump- 
kins. The loss was severely felt, and many cat- 
tle died tlie succeeding winter for want of suste- 
nance. Old people for many years past have 
spoken of these freshets, the latter being distin- 
guished as the "pumpkin flood." 

THE GPvEAT FLOOD. 

But a still greater and more destructive flood, 
and such as was literally beyond the memory of 
the "oldest inhabitant," occurred in the month of 
March, I860. There was a much heavier body 
of snow on the ground than usual. The weather 
became suddenly warm. The snow was in a state 
of fusion, when a warm rain fell, and the whole 
came rushing down the hill sides, filling the creeks, 
and altogether pouring an unprecedented quanti- 
ty of water into the rivers, suddenly swelling them, 
not only bank full, but to overflowing ; and almost 
covering the valley from mountain to mountain, 
and intercepting communication with either side 
of the rivers. The village seemed to be almost 
sinking in the flood. The water found its way 
into nearly eyery cellar, and many of them were 
tilled. The foundations of several dwellings were 
undermined, and fell. On the flats valuable ani- 



Floods. 223 

mals were brought into the houses to prevent their 
being carried down the stream, and many sheep 
were drowned. One store in the vilhige took lire 
in consequence of tlie water coming in contact 
with lime in the cellar. The upper part of the 
village was almost entirely inundated. Many left 
their houses for shelter elsewhere, and many boats 
were in requisition, to go from one locality to 
another. The waters of the Chemung and Sus- 
quehanna met just below the mile hill, also near 
the Presbyterian Church, and at the foot of the 
hill, in the lower part of the village, near the resi- 
dence of the late Judge Williston, thiiH making 
several islands of this village. A view from Span- 
ish Hill, said a spectator, made the whole appear 
like a great lake dotted with numerous islands. 
The water was rising for several days, but attained 
its greatest height on Thursday night, the 16th of 
March. The citizens were sitting up watching the 
movement of the water. It continued to rise iintil 
eleven o'clock. It then ceased, when, with thank- 
ful hearts, relieved of anxiety, the people retired 
to their beds. The next morning the water was 
found to have fallen several feet, and many were 
going about viewing the devastation that liad been 
made. 

Great losses have sometimes been sustained by 
lumbermen on these rivers, by unexpected freshets. 
Often have their hopes been blasted by the sudden 
loss of property, the product of many a day of 
care and toil, and in some instances all that a 
man possessed has been swept away in a few 
short hours. But the business of lumbering has 



224 Early Times. 

often been pleasant and profitable. Most families 
who have resided here long can call to mind the 
exciting times of rafting, when pork and beans 
and bread by the quantity, with ham and eggs, 
and sundry other luxuries, were in requisition as 
an outfit for the arks and rafts about to float 
*' down the river." But all this labor was repaid 
wlien it was announced that they had found a good 
market, and that the adventurers were likely to 
meet the reward of their labors. 

It has been remarked as a peculiarity of the 
Susquehanna, or Crooked river, that nearly all 
along its course it is receiving tributaries almost 
as large as itself. It may be added that notwith- 
standing the much dreaded inundations of spring, 
with all their disastrous effects, the most of the 
season the Susquehanna rolls along in majestic 
calmness, and in mid summer is so low that it is 
forded in many places. 

Some attempts have been made to navigate the 
river by steam. Two neat little steamboats, the 
Codorus and the Susquehanna, were launched 
upon its waters in 1826, and made several trips up 
and down, much to the gratification of the inhabi- 
tants dwelling upon its banks, and the time was 
anticipated when a regular line of boats might ply 
upon the river, transporting both freight and 
passengers. But the want of sufficient water in 
the low stage of the river soon proved it to be im- 
practicable, and after the disastrous explosion of 
the boiler of the Codorus, and the loss of several 
valuable lives thereby, the enterprise was aban- 
doned. 



XXVIII. 



THE OHUECH, 



T ESS than a liundred years ago, the region of 
-^ country which we inhabit was heathen ground. 
The Indians, driven away by Sullivan's army in 
I'ZTO, were, according to David Brainard and oth- 
ers, "gross idolaters." At Shamokin they had 
an idol that Brainard styled "horrible." i3efore 
his conversion Shickelemy, a noted chief, wore an 
idolatrous image around his neck. At Queen 
Esther's plantation, an officer of Sullivan's army 
states that "in what they supposed to be the 
chapel, was found an idol which might well be 
worshipped • without violating the second com- 
mandment, on account of its likeness to anything 
either in Heaven or earth." At the treat}^ at Tio- 
ga Point, in 1790, while the ceremony of adopting 
Thomas Morris into the Se}ieca Nation was in pro- 
gress, which was a religious ceremony, the whole 
sixteen hundred Indians present united in an of- 
fering to the moon, then being at her full. Fish- 
Carrier, an aged and noted Chief, officiated as 



220 Eaely Times. 

High Priest of the occasion, making a long speech 
to the luminary, occasionally throwing tobacco in- 
to tlie tire as incense.* 

The first account we have of any Christian wor- 
ship in this place, was at the burial of those of- 
ficers and soldiers in Sullivan's army, who fell in 
the battle of Chemung, and were brought back to 
Tioga Point for burial. The Rev. Mr. Rogers, 



* Red Jacket was prominent at this asspinbly, and no doubt par- 
took of the idolatrous ceremony. He was a pagan, very hostile to 
Christianity, and gave orders that when he died he should be buried 
after the Indian custom, and refused to allow missionaries to make 
an establishment on the Seneca Reservation, in Western New York, 
about 1824. Rev. Asher Wright, the missionary who has labored 
among the Senecas many years, says: "Red Jacket was a very 
intemperate man. and much under the influence of infidel wh^te 
men ; and till near the close of his life was opposed to tl^e 
Christian religion. A few months before he died he visited an old 
friend in Genesee county, who hadformerly sympathised with him. 
He was greatly astonished at the change apparent in this friend, who 
had been converted, and had given up whiskey and was now livirfg 
happily with his family. Red Jacket watched narrowly everything 
he saw in this old friend, and on his return he said to his travelling 
companion: " There must be something better in this Gospel than 
I ever gave it credit for if it makes changes like this in men's char- 
acters. I should do well to receive it myself. It must be true and 
good. I am going to try it." He continued to talk of it after, 
reaching home, and was in a very serious and tender frame of mind 
till attacked with his last sickness. Ihis friend thought that in 
heart he believed in Jesus Christ, but he had no oj^portunity to 
make profession of his faith; though he said to his wife, whom he 
had opce greatly abused on account of her Christian faith, " per- 
severe in your religion. It is the right way." This, so far as is 
known, was his last utterance upcm the subject." 

Red Jacket died January, 1831, aged 81 years, and was buried in 
a Christian manner, which fact would seem to corroborate the re- 
ported change in his views. 



The CnuRcii. 227 

Chaplain, preached a funeral sermon on tlie oc- 
casion. 

After the Indians were removed the country was 
rapidly settled by white people from Wyoming 
and lower Pennsylvania. The Connecticut set- 
tlers were of Puritan descent, and were frequently 
visited by missionaries from New England m'is- 
sionary societies. 

Methodist preachers also were early on the 
ground, classes formed and local preachers ap- 
pointed. 

It was but a little more than thirty years after 
the heathen left the country, that a church was 
formed at Athens. One had been formed at 
Wyalusing as early as 1794, one at Wysox npar 
the close of the centurj^, one established in Smith- 
field at its first settlement about 1801. 

In the fall of 1811, Rev. William Wisner, from 
Newtown, visited Athens. He was a native of 
Warwick, Orange county, N. Y., and came to 
Newtown in 1800. He studied law with Hon. Vin- 
cent Mathews, and had practiced at the bar a few 
years. After he made a profession of ] eligion, his 
attention was turned to the ministry, and soon 
after he was lincensed to preach. He came to this 
place, supposing that the novelty of hearing a law- 
yer preach might bring the people out to liear 
him. His subject was "the total depravity of the 
human heart, the remedy which God had provid- 
ed for fallen man, and the certainty of the eternal 
perdition of those who do not avail themselves of 
that provision." The congregation was large and 
attentive, so much so that he made an appoint- 



228 Early Times. 

ment for the next Sabbath, when there were evi- 
dent tokens of the Divine presence. People came 
many miles to hear him, and the upper part of the 
Academy was crowded. A general revival of re- 
ligion followed. The next summer, on the 8th day 
of July, 1812, the ''First Congregational Church" 
wa's formed, with about thirty members, and w^as 
connected with the " Luzerne Association." Rev. 
Ard lloyt, afterward missionary to the Cherokees 
at "Mission Ridge," Georgia, presided. While 
in session, and during the examination of candi- 
dates, a middle aged woman from JLdtchfield town- 
ship entered the room quietly, and with her usual 
promptness went directly to the moderator and 
presented him with a paper. He read it with 
emotion. It was the certificate that signified the 
good and regular standing of the aged father and 
mother, the eldest son' s wife, and their daughter 
Rebecca, in the church where they had lived in 
Connecticut. Father Hoyt then inquired where 
they had lived. She replied with a smile, " in the 
woods three or four miles distant ; have lived there 
about two years." After inquiring if any one 
present was acquainted with them, and being as- 
sured that they were a worthy family. Father 
Hoyt turned to his brethren in the ministry and 
said, " Here brethren, the Lord has had a church 
in the wilderness, and nobody has knoAvn it." 
The church was organized and this family was 
added to it. They were constant attendants at 
church ; and from their mountain home they might 
unifoinily be seen on the early Sabbath morning 
in a cart drawn by oxen wending their way down 



The Church. 229 

to the landing on the Susquehanna, where they 
entered their canoe, the aged grandmother, her son 
and his wife, and sister, and several children, neatly 
clad in homespun, and floated down the river to the 
place of worship. After the two services the canoe 
was entered again, and the boys with tlieir setting 
poles pushed back to the landing. The old gentle- 
man, blind and feeble, seldom, if ever, came down 
from the mountain. It was his Pisgah, from which 
by faith he could view the promised land. 

Rev. William Wisner waa the first pastor of tliis 
church, and remained with it three years, receiving 
aid from the New Hampshire and Connecticut Mis- 
sionary Societies. He preached alternately at the 
old red school-house at Milltown and the Academy 
at the Point. His instructions were such as to 
make an impression, and he has been greatly blessed 
in his labors. Mr. Wisner Avas eminently a fireside 
preacher. He went from house to house, calling 
the family together and conversing with each 
member. The children shared largely in his 
attentions, and many a youthful heart was brought 
to a spiritual knowledge of the Saviour, tlirough 
his instrumentality.. On extraordinary occasions 
he wrote his sermons, otherwise he preached off- 
hand. The three years passed quickly, and it was 
necessary for him to remove to another field of 
labor. 

February 27th, 1816, Mr. Wisner sent in his 
resignation in the following words : 

" Dearly Beloved in the Lord. After striving in 
vain to retain the endearing relation which has 
subsisted between us, I do noAV, with the approba- 



230 Early Times. 

tion of the Association and your consent, commit 
you to the love of God, and resign my charge over 
you.''^ 

After the pastoral relation between the Eev. Mr. 
AVisner and the cliurch of Athens was dissolved, 
the Rev. John Bascom was chosen moderator, and 
Deacon Josiali Crocker, clerk. Mr. Bascom 
preachtxl one-half of his time in Smitlifield, employ- 
ed and paid by the people of that' place. The 
•remainder of his time was spent in missionary 
labors, chiefly at Spei«u, ]^. Y., receiving aid from 
the Xew England Missionary Associations. The 
Rev. M. York, Rev. John Smith, Rev. Simeon R. 
Jones, and others, and Mr. Bascom, preached at 
Athens at different times, and occasional additions 
were made to the church. 

In 1818 and '19, a valuable accession was made 
of several intelligent Christian families from 
Silver Lake, in Susquehanna County. They had 
been induced by the very flattering accounts of 
the country to sell their property in New England, 
leave their homes and invest their funds in the iiew 
region. It proved a very unfortunate movement 
for tliem, and they came to Athens in reduced cir- 
cumstances. The men en";a2:ed as tenants to the 



♦ Mr. Wisner built a house and planted fruit-trees on the lot now 
occupied by General Willi<ton. Several of the stately trees are still 
bearing fruit. He was then a little more than thirty years of age. He 
is now near ninety, and is living at Ithaca. He writes to a friend, 
" My life with all its trials has been one of great enjoyment, and I am 
happy in the decline of life, as I was in its morning or noon. God has 
not forsaken mc in my old ago." Mr. Wisner has often visited here, 
and always frequents the old burying-ground. where he finds so many 
of his former congregation. 



The Church. 231 

farmers around, and by persevering industry and 
frugality, with the aid of the little money they 
brought with them, were carried through the sea- 
sons of scarcity which followed. "^ 

. But notwithstanding these trying circumstances, 
that fell with peculiar weight upon these new- 
comers, the church prospered. It was the practice 
of the church for many years to meet together once 
a month, and to bring their children with them to 
pray for the prosperity of Zion. The Lord heark- 
ened and heard. From 1820 to 1824 there was 
almost a continual revival of religion. The work 
of divine grace was manifest in the church, and in 
the hearts of many others. 

At this time the Kev. James Williamson came to 
Athens. His labors were greatly blessed. There 
probably was never a time when so happy and 
prosperous a state of things existed in the church 
as at this period. 

In April, -1823, the Congregational Church of 
Athens adopted the Presbyterian form of govern- 
ment by a majority vote, to be in connection Avith 
Susquehanna Presbytery, originally the Luzerne 
Association. William B. Swain and George A. 
Perkins were chosen Ruling Elders. 

October, 1825, Eev. Isaac W. Piatt was chosen 



* During these seasons the crops were very short. The people 
could not wait to go to mill with their wheat, or pay toll at the mills, 
but pounded out their grain at their homes, and baked it in this crude 
state. Money was sometimes deposited at the mill to purchase grain, 
but none could be procured except what was received as toll for grind- 
ing. Many sacrifices were made by families to supply themselves with 
food. 



232 Early Times. 

Moderator of the church, and ministered here five 
years. Many of the church members were not 
satisfied with the Presbyterian form of government, 
and at the suggestion of Mr. Piatt, the church 
adopted the plan- of Union, recommended by the 
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and 
the General Association of Connecticut in 1801. A 
standing committee of five persons were chosen by 
the church to act upon this plan, which was gen- 
erally satisfactory. Duiing the pastorate of Rev. Mr. 
Piatt, in 1826, the first church edifice was erected 
here. In 1833 Rev. William C. Wisner, son of the 
former pastor, was called to this church, and re- 
mained here more than a year. 

Rev. William Adams succeeded him in 1835. 
He was a man of fine talents and had become quite 
popular. 

About this time a student from Princeton deliv- 
ered a lecture here upon the subject of Slavery, 
wliich created such excitement as to make it prudent 
for the young man to leave town at the earliest 
opportunity. 

The next Sabbath Mr. Adams preached a sermon 
against "Popular Violence" which resulted in 
his removal from this place. 

Rev. C. C. Corss became pastor of the church in 
April, 1837. The General Assembly of the Presby- 
terian Church, met in Philadelphia, and the follow- 
ing May passed the "Exscinding Act," by wliich 
four Synods, 500 ministers, and about 60,000 
communicants, were declared to have no connec- 
tion with the Presbyterian Church, thereby repu- 
diating the plan of Union, upon which ground the 



The Church. 233 

churcli of Athens then stood. A committee was 
sent from the Susquehanna Presbytery to notify 
the church members, that they were no longer in 
connection with that body, and to organize a clmrch 
which should be strictly Presbyterian and in con- 
nection with them. The Presbytery was in sym- 
pathy with the proceedings of the late General 

Assembly. 

A portion of the church preferred to remain as 
they were, while others chose to be connected Avith 
the Susquehanna Presbytery, thus dividing a small 
church. This necessarily involved the question of 
church property, which was finally settled by each 
body consenting to use the house alternately, thus 
causing much that was painful, if not reproachful 
to the cause of religion. 

Mr. Corss preached for the Old School, and Rev. 
C Thurston for the :N^ew School. Rev. Nathaniel 
Elmer succeeding Mr. T. This state of things 
existed about twenty years, from 1838 to '54, many 
hoping for a reunion of the General Assemblies, 
which^'might also unite the churches. 

At length during a powerful revival of religion 
which occurred about this time, a compromise was 
effected, both branches consenting to unite and 
transfer their ecclesiastical relations to the Re- 
formed Dutch Church. 

They remained in this connection until alter tne 
reunion of the two General Assemblies, when the 
church again became Presbyterian. 

Rev Augustus Todd, Rev. P. Berry, and Rev. 
John Shaw were pastors under this administration. 
Within that time the old church was burned in 



234 Eaely Times. 

1861, and a new brick church was erected in 
1862. 

It is not known that a Methodist class was formed 
in the village of Athens, until 1832. Mr. Shippy, 
a class leader lived here, in the early part of the 
century, and was in the habit of meeting for 
prayer, with any who might wish to assemble, of 
whatever name, but it is believed he was connected 
with the class on the west side of the river, in 
what was then called "Christian Street," on ac- 
count of the number of Methodists who lived there. 
Mr. Abraliam Minier was their leader for many 
years. The street had previously been called 
Holland, on account of several Dutch families hav- 
ing early settled there. The first Methodist house 
of worship in the village of Athens, was built in 
1844. Dedication sermon preached by Rev. J. 
Dodge. The church was burnt in 1851, at the 
time of the great fire, when a number of stores, a 
long row of buildings, and a small Episcopal 
church on the bank of the river were consumed. 

The Methodist clmrch was rebuilt of brick in 
1852. 

The Episcopal stone church was built in 1861. 

The churches in the upper part of the village, 
were built some years previous. 



XXIX. 

MES. CLEME]S'T PAIXE. 



lyrRS. p. was a resident of Athens many years, 
-•-'-^ and was extensively known in the early part 
of the century. We have added some account of 
this excellent woman, with extracts from her diary, 
which it is thought desirable to insert here as con- 
nected with the early history of Athens. She was 
the daughter of Theodore Wood^ridge, brother of 
the distinguished William Woodbridge, and was 
born in Glastenbury, Connecticut, September 13th, 
1784. The family were educated and intelligent. 
She finished her education at Hartford in the year 
.1800, just before her father removed with his fam- 
ily, together with twenty other families, to Salem 
in Northern Pennsylvania, 90 miles southeast of 
Athens, which was then a wilderness. 

They bought land under the Connecticut title, 
which was superseded by Pennsylvania claims, 
but notwithstanding these difficulties they became 
a prosperous community, one seldom equalled in 
any new country. 



236 Early Times. 

Here Miss Woodbridge commenced a diary wliicli 
afforded her mucli comfort in her retired situation, 
the style and sentiments of her journal would do 
honor to any of our female writers. Her early 
reading was principall}^ confined to religious au- 
thors of a former period, where she found much to 
improve her understanding and comfort her heart. 
Occasionally she visited Wilkesbarre, where she 
met congenial society, and works of more modern 
authors. These tended much to her improvement, 
and although of a very timid and retiring dispo- 
sition, she could converse and write with uncom- 
mon elegance and facility. 

In her solitary and retired life she found some 
valuable Christian society among the jDeople who 
had removed with them from Connecticut. 

After the death of her mother the care and re- 
s])onsibility of the family devolved upon her. 
Though but seventeen years old she entered ui3on 
her duties with fidelity and industr}', by which her 
father, two brothers, and a sister were made com- 
fortable and their home cheerful. 

Sometimes in this wilderness the snow was so 
deep that the roads were impassable, and they saw 
no fac(-s but those of their own family for many 
days. While the dreary storm continued, her diary 
says, " I am by no means discontented, for I have 
long since be(-n taught that happiness, if anywhere 
to be found, is in one's own breast, that our own 
domestic scenes, and our own fireside are preferable 
to any other. How miserable must that person be 
who never finds enjoyment at home.'' 

*^ March 6th, 1804. The storm and cold have 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 237 

abated, and the spring has returned with all its 
beauties. I find much happiness in our family. 
What in this life is there to be compared to domes- 
tic felicity. I do not know of a person in the 
world with whom I would exchange situations." 
In this peaceful retirement Miss W. often express- 
es herself as "happily situated," not exposed to 
the many temptations of more polite and fashion- 
able society. Sometimes she speaks of the cares 
and responsibilities of the family, sometimes of go- 
ing into the woods with her brother to make sugar. 
Sometimes her hand held the distaff, which resulted 
in a long piece of cloth for family use, and often 
reading books sent to her by friends, or entertain- 
ing missionaries from New England who visited 
the settlement. Mr. Seth Williston was one of 
these missionaries, and she regarded him as the in- 
strument of her conversion. 

"My good father was overjoyed at the change in 
my feelings. It has been his highest hope for his 
children that they might all be brought into the 
fold of Christ. When the family were assembled 
for worship it seemed like a little heaven below. 
Retirement was sweet, and j)rayer a most delight- 
ful exercise. 

" There is a work for us to do, and this work is 
exactly calculated to subdue pride, and remove all 
self-confidence. It brings us to a state of humility 
from a sense of our own insufficiency to do any 
good thing, and that we are forever undone, except 
God appear for us. When thus prepared God 
shows the way of salvation through Christ, par- 
dons our sins and gives us faith in Him." 



238 Early Times. 

The time came for changes in this retired and 
peaceful family. Her father married again, and in 
her diary she writes, '^ The next year I was united 
to the man I loved." 

Clement Paine was engaged in merchandise at 
Athens, and purchased his goods in Philadelphia. 
He frequently passed through Wilkesbarre, where 
he became acquainted with Miss Woodbridge. He 
afterwards visited her father's house in Salem, and 
in 1806 she came with him to Athens as his bride. 

Mrs. Paine found some choice society inher new 
home. Mrs. Tuttle and Mrs. Hoj^kins, of whom 
she often speaks -as having taken sweet counsel 
together, were ladies of piety, refinement, and 
pleasing manners. TJiey often met for social 
prayer at their own private rooms, and after a little 
time met at the house (a log-cabin) of a Methodist 
family to worship on the Sabbath. Here they 
found the Saviour present time after time, until 
their hearts became so overflowing that their faith 
required a larger place. They asked the privilege 
of meeting in a ball-room on the Sabbath, and in- 
vited their husbands to read the sermons, and the 
M(4hodist brother to pray. The congregation sang, 
and they soon collected quite an assembly. Then 
the Lord directed the Rev. Seth Williston and 
other mii;sionari(^s to preach to them occasionally, 
and afterward a church was formed, and numbers 
added to it. One of these mothers in Israel, Mrs. 
Tuttk^ lived at Elmira until 1856 Avhen she died. 
A strong friendsliip existed between these estimable 
ladies, whicli was interrupted by death only to be 
perpetuated in eternity. 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 239 

Mrs. Paine had other Christian friends wliom she 
valued highly. In her diary she speaks of lier 
'* venerable and much esteemed friend, Mrs. 
Saltmarsh, the mother of Jolm Saltmarsh, Esq. 
She is a treasure we must soon lose, as she lias 
passed lier threescore years and ten. It was witli 
deep regret that I beheld the decay of her ni cental 
powers once so strong, and still less weak than 
most in the prime of life. IIow beautiful does that 
old age appear which is crowned with the wisdom 
and piety of ear}y days though bowed by infirmity. 
Such a one is this aged mother in Israel." 

Learning the destitution of the Bible about the 
country, Mrs. Paine corresponded with Robert 
Ralston, Esq.' of Philadelphia, well-known in Bible 
Society operations, and from him received boxes of 
Bibles at diiferent times, which with the tracts she 
procured at her own expense, she commenced a 
system of Bible and Tract distribution. Long 
before the American Bible and Tract Societies came 
into existence, making her way across the rivers 
and up the mountains on horseback she distributed 
to every destitute ftmiily within her reach. She also 
employed others to extend the distribution still 
farther. She was thus in fiict the first colpdrteur 
in this region. 

Nor was this the only way she aimed to be 
useful. Holding the pen of a ready writer she 
found access to many others. Her kind and faith- 
ful warnings to the thoughtless, and her encour- 
agement to the desponding through the medium 
of her little notes are fresh in the memory of 
many. By these and many other methods of use- 



240 Eakly Times. 

fulness she exerted an influence for good among all 
classes of society. 

The early part of Mrs. Paine' s life was tranquil 
and happy, and she speaks of finding much domes- 
tic enjoyment in her new home. She says, "We 
have all we can wish of riches. We are amply 
furnished witl; every thing we need, we have few 
intruders on our fireside enjoyments ; my little Ed- 
ward every day has stronger claims on my affec- 
tions, and my husband each day is dearer to my 
heart." 

But her pathway became more rugged as she ad- 
vanced in life, and increasing cares and responsi- 
bilities weighed heavily upon her. Her diary 
about this time was addressed principally to her 
children, whom she hoped might be benefited by 
it in after life. With earnestness does she warn 
them against the many snares which Satan will set 
for their youthful feet, and presses it upon them to 
follow in the footsteps of their godly ancestors, 
whose prayers are worth vastl}^ more to them than 
a large estate. Another object she had in view in 
writing was her own personal benefit and gratifica- 
tion. She loved to call herself to an account, and 
"talk with her past hours, and ask them what re- 
port they bore to heaven, and how they might have 
borne more welcome news." 

March 16th, 1810. She says in her diary:— 
'' Have been very happy in hearing that Esq. Salt- 
marsh, one of our most respectable inhabitants, 
has publicly declared his intention of making re- 
ligion liis greatest object of pursuit, and has com- 
menced praying in his family ; " and she takes oc- 



Mrs. Clement Paixe. 241 

casion from this example to impress it upon her 
children to make religion the ultimate purpose of 
their lives. She 'warns th«mi against emhracinp; 
any system that does not exalt God, and humble 
the sinner, and urges them to see that their views 
are consistent with tlie standard of truth by which 
so many good men have been directed and made 
happy. '' Again, let me entreat you to study the 
Scriptures with child-like simplicity, and let no 
persuasions or arguments prevail on you to disbe- 
lieve the truth. If you cast that away you are 
like a ship without a pilot or compass on the wide 
and dangerous ocean. Be constant in your devo- 
tions, at least morning and evening prUy for your- 
selves, for your friends, and for the world. If this 
is a painful task, pray to God until he makes it a 
delightful privilege, until he makes you a Christian. 
Begin a holy life in early days. It is the morning 
of life and the dew of youth which are particularly 
acceptable to God. It is then that the passions are 
most easily subdued. Bad habits and principles 
are not so stubborn as in later years. 

" October ^Stli, 1811. Last evening saw an account 
in the magazine of four young men of handsome 
talents and acquirements, who had devoted their 
lives to the purpose of carrying the glad news of 
salvation to the heathen. I also saw an account 
of a Mrs. IS'orris, who had bequeathed 830,000 for 
the same object. A fear was also expressed that 
the Missionary funds would not be adequate to the 
numerous expenses. I was lamenting deeply with 
Laura that we had nothing to bestow. After many 
fruitless plans and regrets, the idea occurred that 



242 Early Times. 

althoiigli Providence had not opened a door for us 
in this way, yet we have an opportunity perhaps 
of more usefuhiess than if we liad more money at 
command. There are many children and youth in 
every viUage who need religious instruction. Miss 
Hannah More, by her personal exertions, civilized 
and moralized a village which previously was ex- 
tremely vicious and depraved. If we have not, 
like her, the influence, talents, and education re- 
quisite for the establishment of Sunday Schools, 
yet all of us have qualifications sufficient to enable 
us to instruct in the simple truths of the gospel. 
It is also the happy privilege of every Christian 
mother, to educate a little church for God. An- 
other way in which we may be useful is by prayer." 

Mrs. Paine established a Sabbath School in this 
place in 1818. She often met with the children on 
the Fourth of July, and furnished them with an en- 
tertainment, prepared by herself. 

Under date of November 4th, 1811, she writes : — 
*' It is a little more than a week since I heard the 
distressing news of my dear father's death! How 
trifling and little has the world and all its concerns 
since appeared. It has seemed as if I were* but a 
step from eternity. For a few hours my grief was 
without any alleviation, until the sweet thought 
that I should spend a long eternity with him, if 
like him I lived, darted into my heart. This is as 
a reviving balsam to my wounded spirit, nor have 
I since felt my grief so severe. Another great 
source of consolation is, that this event Avas the 
appointment of Divine Wisdom. And shall I re- 
pine? Is it not time that this faithful servant 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 243 

should rest from his labors ? His life has been a 
long and laborious one. Sweet indeed must be his 
rest. Methinks I see him happy beyond expres- 
sion, and with his usual tranquil and cheerful 
countenance, for that bespoke him a saint. I have 
often thought that his countenance, like Moses', 
proved that he conversed much with God. His 
devotions were frequent and fervent. I have heard 
him relate frequent instances of the efficacy of 
prayer. He told me one day, that he had been 
earnestly praying for me, and that God had given 
him assurance that in his OAvn time he would bring 
me 'out of nature's darkness into His marvellous 
light.' This Avas great encouragement to me, as 
were his pious instructions. He had a deep sense 
of the depravity of the heart, and frequently ad- 
mired the wonderful condescension of God in hear- 
ing and answering the imperfect petitions of mor- 
tals. 

' ' His charity was bounded only by necessity. On 
his only visit to me, he saw a widowed mother 
with her fatherless family. I learned accidentally 
some months after his departure, that he presented 
them with §20. A donation of $30, I also heard of 
his giving to another fcimily in similar circumstan- 
ces. I am persuaded that many such sums have 
been secretly given by him, and thns he laid up 
for himself treasures in heaven which he is now 
enjoying. His conversation was such as adorned 
the character of a Christian and a gentleman, and 
such as pleased and instructed all who heard him. 
There was an uncommon union of dignity and 
modesty in his deportment. The vicious feared, 



244 Early Times. 

and the virtuous loved him. It was his practice to 
do his duty in trying circumstances, and leave the 
event to God, — 

' All the dull cares and tumults of this world, 
Like harmless thunders, breaking at his feet, 
Excite his pity, not impair his peace.' 

^^ He had not a college education, as had his three 
older brotliers, who were clergymen, yet few have 
a better informed mind, or as much taste, judgment^ 
and sentiment. He became a Christian at the age 
of twenty- one ; then he relinquished the company 
and amusement of his gay companions, because 
they appeared so trifling and insipid compared 
with the enjoyments he found in religion. Soon 
after, he entered the Kevolutionary War, where he 
remained during its continuance, and distinguished 
himself by his piety and bravery. There he ob- 
tained the commission of major. At the age of 
thirty-three he married my mother, the daughter 
of a rich and respectable merchant. I was their 
eldest child ; two sons and two daughters composed 
our family. By his industry he procured a com- 
petency of the good things of this life, but our 
eternal welfare lay nearest his heart. This led him 
to seek a residence in retirement, after giving his 
children a good education in Connecticut. Three 
years after our removal to Salem, my mother died. 
During this sore affliction, a kind neighbor en- 
deavored to console me by saying I ought to be 
thankful that I liad one of the best of parents left. 
His cliaracter, which I have ever esteemed as the 
the most virtuous and valuable that I ever knew, 



Mrs. Clement Faine. 245 

since liis death, sliines with increasing lustre. Do 
you, my children, inquire why he was so justly 
venerated by all who knew him I I answei-, it was 
piety toward God. It was the approbation of his 
God which he sought in every action of his life. 
I wrote to my dear father about two weeks since, 
and wrote just such a letter as I could wish, had I 
known it to be my last. Oh, that he had answered 
it. One request I am glad that I made, it was that 
he would pray his God to give me grace to bring 
np my children in the nurture and admonition of 
the Lord. 

''A Congregational Church of eight members had 
been formed in our peaceful and retired settlement 
in Salem, but the year after my removal to Athens, 
God was pleased to pour out his spirit on that 
place. My youngest brother was from home. My 
father sent for him that he too might be a subject 
of the happy work. He saw all his children pro- 
fessors of religion, and every family becaiije a 
praying family, and, in some instances, four, five, 
and six in a family became hopeful convei-ts. 
About forty united wi^h the church. He saw their 
temporal concerns prosperous, schools established, 
and the ordinances of religion enjoyed in the 
place, which in the year 1800 was a howling 
wilderness. God was pleased thus to smile on his 
endeavors to be useful. AVhat more had he to do 
in this world— his work was done, and God took 
him home. He died suddenly of typhus fever. 

''When my sister and myself last parted from 
my father, he enjoined it upon us, to pray with and 
for each other. I trust we frequently prayed for 



246 Early Times. 

each other, but a sinful tin^dity kept us from social 
prayer. The injunction came home to us witli 
double force after his death. We have since, each 
day regularly prayed by turns with the children 
under my care. I esteem it a great privilege, and 
it has rendered my sister doubly dear. 

'' Sal). .January 27, 1812. Yesterday I was very 
happily stirprised at the arrival of Hev. Mr. Wis- 
ner, formerly a lawyer of considerable eminence, 
but a change of heart induced him to change his 
profession. He preached two of the most excellent 
sermons to-day, to a crowded audience, that I have 
heard since I have been in Athens. I wonder 
how any one could remain in unbelief. Sinners 
must have had their eyes sealed and their hearts 
hardened indeed to resist the truth. After endur- 
ing a long famine of the word of God, it was a 
precious feast of good things to my soul which I 
this day enjoyed. He preached in the old Acad- 
emy ,,.and his text in the a. m., was — 'What went 
ye out for to see?' in the p.m. — 'Let us alone, 
that we may serve the Egyptians.' He showed 
the wickedness of the Israelites, and the goodness 
of God, who would not let them alone, and also 
who they are at the present time that desire God 
to let them alone. 

''I called last evening on one of our neighbors, 
who is supposed to lie at the point of death, Mr. 
John Miller, a merchant of this place, about thirty 
years of age. He leaves a young and interesting 
wife. I tried to call his attention to the importance 
of being prepared for death, but his chief anxiety 
was to know how his widow should be provided 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 247 

for. He died this a.m. and his death was announced 
to the confi^regation. 

" Scth.^Feh. lOtli. In what language can I tliank 
my Heavenly Father for all his fiivors. He seems 
about giving his children in this place their heart's 
desire— in his ordinances and the preaching of the 
gospel. The Rev. Mr. Williston, Mr. Parker, and 
Mr. Jones, have frequently preached to us, but 
they obtained few hearers, and Mr. AVisner came 
to us with little expectation of doing good. He 
had, however, a very numerous audience, who 
were strictly attentive, while he preached the 
undisguised truth. The second Sabbath, he 
preached in Milltown to a very crowded assembly, 
and in this village in the evening. Last Monday 
I visited at Mr. Crocker's in Milltown, and attend- 
ed a prayer-meeting./ It was with much difficulty 
I obtained this privilege, yet I found it a happy 
season to my soul. When I arrived at Mr. C.'s, I 
I learned he was absent on the business of obtaiTf- 
ing a subscrijDtion for hiring Mr. Wisner to preach 
to us a year. How joyfully did we hear the glad 
tidings that he was likely to succeed, and that tlie 
famine of the word we have endured, was to be 
followed by 'a feast of fat things.' How glad 
was I to hear that several were awakened to a 
sense of the importance of preparing for an awful 
eternity, and to see at the prayer-meeting some 
children, bathed in tears, earnestly appearing to 
inquire 'What must we do to be saved.' The 
little number of Christians are earnestly engaged 
in praying for the outpouring of the spirit, and for 
the preached gospel. 



248 Early Times. 

' ' Mr. Wisner returned from Newtown on Wednes- 
day. He proposed a conference which was attend- 
ed at our house, and I can truly say, it was the 
happiest one I ever attended. He has made our 
house his home when in the village, as did the 
former ministers, and I am thankful for the privilege 
of entertaining them, and of enjoying the benefit 
of their conversation and prayers. They earnestly 
pray for my family. Oh, that their prayers might 
not be in vain. 

"Mr. W. says his way has been wonderfully 
hedged u]d whenever he has thought of leaving this 
people. When he came, he had no idea of spend- 
ing more than one Sabbath, but the attention the 
people manifested, induced him to make an ap- 
pointment for the next Sabbath, and for the same 
reason he came the third Sabbath. He had with 
much pleasure contemplated a journey to Ontario, 
where they were yeiy desirous to have him take 
the pastoral charge of the church. They had 
made a regular 'call,' and sent to him, but the 
bearer lost it on the road, and before it could be 
renewed he had a pressing invitation from us, and 
a subscription raised for his support. Last week 
he remained with us attending conferences, and 
visiting families, as he found himself too unwell to 
leave. From these circumstances and the spirit of 
prayer that prevails, I am led to think the thing is 
of God." 

After an interruption of three years she resumes 
her journal. 

" Tices., Jem. 10th, 1815. Received a call this 
morning from Mrs. B— , a temporary resident. 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 249 

She spoke of the uncommon sorrows which had 
fallen to her lot. I could not condole with her, 
for I really could not think from what source her 
troubles came, as she is a boarder perfectly at ease, 
has an affectionate husband, and an only son,— a 
most promising character. I studied much what 
to say by way of commiseration, but my attempts 
were awkward. This p. m., another Mrs. B — 
called. She too spoke of her griefs as if they 
could not be a secret to any one, yet apparently 
her situation is pleasant, having a good husband, 
and an agreeable, affectionate family of children, 
more than commonly engaging. Next Mrs. H — 
called. She had not only her own sorrows, but 
those of her two daughters to bear ; all of whom 
are richly supplied with all this world can give. 
I thought of my own woes, but had I alluded to 
them I suppose they would not have been better 
understood by others than theirs are by me— so I 
spoke not of them. 

" TJiurs.. Jan. \Wi. Received a visit from Mrs. 
Shepard, Mrs. Hopkins, and Mrs. Backus. These 
friends I esteem highly. With the former I have 
not been intimately acquainted, although a sister 
in the church, as she has not long been a resident 
here, she is a woman of a superior mind and pleas- 
ing manners. 

''FtL, Feb. 2Un. Visited Mrs." this p. m. I 

saw in her family the picture of those who enjoy 
all the pleasures the present moment can impart, 
regardless of the future. If all that they now en- 
joy could be continued, they must have more than 
the common share allotted to mortals. But their 



250 Early Times. 

prospects appear to me very gloomy, nothing for a 
sick day, or old age, and soon tliey may be de- 
prived of their present very comfortable abode 
and business. 

" Tliurs.^ Apr. 20th. To-day we have followed 
Brotlier Enoch Paine -to his long home. After a 
life of activity, of health, of usefulness, death has 
laid him in the dust. 

*' Sab., 3Iay Itli. With all my little ones I attend- 
ed meeting. Mr. Wisner preached from the text— 
* Follow peace with all men.' His sermon in the 
p. M., was from the remainder of the text — 'And 
holiness, without which no man can see the Lord.' 
Oh, who could hear what he said, about the con- 
sequences of not having holiness, and go away un- 
awakened ! 

" Wed., May 10th. Purchased the 'Life of Eev. 
David Brainerd,' written by President Edwards. 
If one wishes to know the difference between he 
who serveth God, and he who serveth him not, 
let him compare the life of Brainerd with that of 
the thoughtless and profane. 

" Tlturs. Eve., MaylStli. Have long had a great 
desire to read Shakespeare, I flattered myself 
witli the idea of improving my style — theVefore 
sent for the first volume from the village library. 
I found it was forbidden fruit to me, whatever it 
miglit be to others, for the pleasing fiction occupied 
all my attention, and prevented my search for- 
beauties of style. To my surprise, I fou»d many 
indelicacies, which I did not expect in so celebrated 
an author, therefore I shall probably remain igno- 
rant of the beauties of Shakespeare. Oh, that his 



Mrs. Clement Paixe. 251 

genius had been better employed ! tliun iniglit those 
who seek to know Jesus, and liim crucified, have 
known and admired liis writinos too. 

"Sah., May2Qt7t. While makin- arrancrements 
to wait on God in his house, I received an ur«rent 
invitation to visit a sick woman. It was two nTiles 
distant, and very difficult for me to go, yet I 
thought it my duty— therefore sent tlie four older 
children to meeting three miles distant, took my little 
one and went to see the sick woman. The family 
have hardly the necessaries of life, while we have 
so many of those relinements which sweeten our 
enjoyment. On our return we called at a house 
where lives an old man alone. It was old Dr. 
Dart, he was talking philosophy, and acting it ; 
for with an invited friend he was eating some 
roasted potatoes on the head of a barrel. He 
apologized with a very cheerful countenance, said 
they were eating a very humble meal, but it was 
the best he had in the house. Poverty, where there 
is any thing like refinement of manners and mind, 
does not appear half so disagreeable, as when 
there is nothing but vulgarity and ignorance. 

" TJmrs., June 1st. The road is filled with travel- 
lers going to a camp-meeting about ten miles above 
us. Some women passed yesterday who had 
walked thirty miles to attend. 

"Sab., June Mil. Crowds are still going and re- 
turning from camp-meeting. Our family have all at- 
tended Mr. Wisner' s meeting, and have been richly 
fed with sweet, divine truths. 

"Sab., Junellth. Attended meeting at Milltown. 
The children walked. I never love them so well 



252 Early Times. 

as when I see tliem thus presenting themselves be- 
fore God. 

" Thurs.^ June lUli. Saw dear brother Bascom, 
my sister's husband, who brought me the 'Life of 
Winter' and the 'Life of Dr. Hopkins.' 

' ' Fri.^ June \Uli. Have heard that Deacon Crock« 
er, who is the chief pillar of our church, is under 
the necessity of removing from us, being out of em- 
ployment. This will be a great frown of Provi- 
dence if it takes place, next to the removal of our 
minister, which I fear will soon follow if God does 
not appear for us. 

" S>ab.^ June IQth. Attended a reading meeting, 
Mr. Wisner being absent, and I enjoyed more than 
a common Sabbath' s blessing in hearing the good 
Mr. Morse pray. Since meeting, have been much 
entertained with the life of Winter. 

" Sah.^ July lUh. What a day of rejoicing has this 
been to our minister and his church ! A degree of 
that joy which is felt by angels over one repenting 
sinner has been ours. We rejoice over four who 
have been admitted to our church. How strong 
my hopes that this awakening will not end here, 
that my dear children will also be the subjects of 
this work. Mrs. W. called to tell me that her son 
C. W. is under deep convictions. That he spent a 
sleepless night, he wept much and was in great 
distress. Should C. become a Christian, what" a 
plant of renown he might be in the vineyard of the 
Lord ! 

''Sat., Sept. IQtJi. This evening attended prayer- 
meeting. It was delightful to worship God with 
the little number of his people after a day of fatigue 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 253 

and care. I thought liow mucli more delightful it 
would be to worship him eternally and witliout 
any mixture of sin. The ettrnal ^ahhath of nut. 
How delightful and harmonious the sound. 

" Sah., Sept. Yltli. Have not attended meeting' to- 
day on account of the indisposition of my children. 
When duty obliges me to remain at home I often 
enjoy myself, and find a Sabbath day's blessing. 

" Tues.^ 8e2ot IdiJi, Some remarks having been 
made derogatory to the character of another, gave 
occasion to our dear minister to say, 'Xo matter 
how true a report is, if we circulate it with a view 
of lessening the reputation of the object, it is 6'/^;?- 
der.'' 

" Wed., Sept. 20t7i. The ' Luzerne Congregational 
Association ' is sitting here. I pray that God may 
grant them wisdom in all their deliberations. 

■ 'i^;^*., Se2:)t. 22d. Have felt idle because I have 
not engaged in any of my undertakings. My 
father used to say that he had rather be driven 
with business than have little or nothing to do, and 
I have often felt the truth of this remark. 

" Sab., Oct. 1st. This morning I awoke anxious to 
attend meeting. If I could not ride, resolved to 
walk. As is often the case when I determine to 
surmount every difficulty, Providence provided 
for me and I rode. I was very much edified by 
the sermons, and did not repent my attendance, al- 
though three miles from home and five children 
with me. With James before me and Seth behind 
on one horse I arrived safely. Sometimes I 
scarcely know what duty is. I wish to attend the 
worship of God with my children. If I cannot take 



254 Eakly Times. 

them, it is my duty to stay with them, as they are 
too young to leave, and the difficulty of taking 
them is great. We ought to show more zeal for 
the worship of God than Christians generally do, 
yet to do what appears like saying, 'Come, see 
my zeal for the Lord,' does not glorify him. 

'' Tues.^ Oct Zd. A girl who attends dancing- 
school, walks three miles, and crosses the river, and 
either has to burden some family with her company, 
or return home after ten o' clock at night, last evening 
gave me a share of the inconvenience arising from 
it. Without any acquaintance or invitation she 
called and took tea, lodged, and breakfasted, 
thanked me for her entertainment and departed. 
I pitied the poor girl much for her folly, gave her 
my opinion, intending to spare her feelings yet be 
plain. Another case, similar to this, occurred this 
evening. It is humiliating to witness the folly of 
mankind. Eead a chapter this evening to a child 
eleven years of age, who said she had never heard 
a chapter read before, nor had they a Bible in their 
house. 

" Fri.^ Oct, Uli. This p. m. Mr. Wisner visited us. 
While engaged in conversation, a carriage drove to 
the door in which were two strangers. It proved to 
be Mr. Paine' s eldest brother, Dr. James Paine, and 
his daughter Charlotte. I had never seen him be- 
fore, and was never more happy in receiving one 
of my own brothers. His prayers and his conver- 
sation are a luxury, and prove him a dear follower 
of my own dear Saviour. 

'^ Sah.^ Oct. Ibtli. Attended meeting at Milltown. 
Mr. Wisner made some remarks, which I applied 



Mrs. Clemext Paine. . 255 

directly to myself, and felt very irmcli liumhlcd for 
my stupidity. Prayers were offered by tlio deacons, 
during the intermission, at Mr. W.'s request. 

" Sat^ Oct. 21st. Attended prayer-meetinp^, live 
only were collected. Mr. Wisner prayed for the 
outpouring of the Spirit, as if he had the assistai^ce 
of the Holy Spirit, or as if Christ had met witli us. 

^' Sat, JSfov. Uli. ^his evening went to prayer- 
meeting. Saw brilliant lights throughout the vil- 
lage. A humble light shone at the academy where 
we met for prayer. I felt happy in tlie idea of meet- 
ing dear brothers and sisters. I met them, their num- 
ber was three besides the minister, and what was 
worse they were just retiring. I had been detained 
and was too late. I felt ashamed indeed that I 
should not encourage the heart of our minister by 
a zeal for the worship of God, and more that I 
should cheat my own soul of heavenly food. 

'' Tues., JSfov. ItTi. Mr. andMrs. AVisner made us 
a farewell visit. We, as a church, deserve tlie frowns 
of Providence, and we experience them in the re- 
moval of Mr. Wisner, and in the indifference or 
opposition of our friends and relatives. Mr. Wis- 
ner intends preaching here still, but we have reason 
to fear that his dismission will be the next step. 

'' Wed., Nov. Sth: This morning Esq. Saltmarsh 
was suddenly removed into the eternal woi-ld. He 
was a useful inhabitant and a friend of Jehovah. 
Oh ! that my work of life was done and well done. 
How SAveet would be the sleep of death ! 

''^Sat, Nov. nth. Attended the funeral of Esq. 
Saltmarsh, where was a large collection of peojile. 
Heard while at the funeral that Dr. Satterlee, of 



256 Early Times. 

» 

Elmira, had mortally wounded Mmself with a gun 
that went oft' accidentally. 

" Taes., JS'ov). lUli. Have heard the joyful news 
that Mr. Wisner has concluded to remain with us 
until spring. 

'' Sat, Nov. IStJi. To-morrow is our communion 
day. Had the satisfaction of preparing the sacra- 
mental bread. Had sweet reflections while thus 
engaged, and could say — What am I, and Avhat is 
my Father's house, that I should do this for the 
King of kings, my Lord and my God. 

'^Sab., Nov. iWi. Our dear minister was ill, and 
unable to do more than administer sacrament. The 
atfection of this cliurch for Mr. Wisner is very 
great. Not one of its members would exchange 
him for any other minister, yet a^^pearances are 
very dark in regard to his continuance here. The 
prejudices of the congregation are very great, but 
not greater than have been against ever}^ mission- 
ary who has been among us. 

' ' Tlmrs. , Nod. ^Oili. This has been our day of pub- 
lic thanksgiving. I did not attend meeting, as the 
weather has been unpleasant, and the meeting was 
at Milltown. Our Heavenly Benefactor has done 
much to gratify our taste as well as to supply our 
necessities. We partake of the great variety which 
God has given us richly to enjoy, and although en- 
dowi^l witli reason, and capable Qi all the feelings 
of gratitude and devotion, yet we rarely exercise 
them. 

'^ Fri.^ Dec. Ist. Recf4ved a visit from Mrs. 
Welles and Mrs. HoUenback, friends and relatives of 
my early days. Friends and attachments formed at 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 257 

that period are peculiarly clear, particnlarlv wlien 
strengtliened by a long series of favors, and a con- 
tinued confidence. 

''Sat, Dec. 2d. Brother Bascom called to-day. 
He is authorized by the trustees of the academy to 
apply to the Theological Seminary at Andover for 
one who is qualified to teach our i\cademy, and 
preach to us, as we have reason to fear that our 
dear pastor will not long continue with us. I find 
much access to God in prayer when pleading that 
a door may be opened for his stay with us. 

''Sab., Dec. 3d. 'Mr. Wisner 'preached this a. m. 
His text was, ' And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not 
yet a prophet of the Lord, that we may inquire of 
him ? And he said, There is a man whose name is 
Mfcaiah, but I bate him, for he doth not prophesy 
good concerning me, but evil.' Mr. Wisner used 
arguments which his adversaries could not gain- 
say or resist. On our retiirn from, meeting we 
called to see an aged lady, Mrs. Prentice, who has 
probably but a short time to live. 

" Wed., Dec. 6t7i. Last evening I*\vas called to sit 
up with Mrs. Prentice, who was not expected to 
survive the night. 

"i^r/., Dec. St7i. Mrs. Prentice was buried to-drn'. 
She was a woman of good sense and education. 
She was the daughter of the Rev. Mr. Owen, of 
Groton, Connecticut. Although more than eiglity 
years of age her faculties were not impaired, and 
there was still much sprightliness of mind, and 
gayety of manners apparent. She paid much at- 
tention to her dress, and a stranger would nut have 
supposed her more than seventy. 



258 Early Times. 

''Sat, Dec. SOth. Mr. Paine invited Mr. Cook and 
his brother this evening to supper, they being left 
ahMie in their house. Their connection was very 
singular. Two brothers married the mother and 
the" daughter, and the youngest brother married 
the motlier. 

' ' Sab. , Dec. Slst. Am very much entertained with 
Miss More's 'Christian Morals.' She has driven 
me from some favorite, but false notions. Few 
writers have ever probed my heart so deeply, and 
exposed its evils so much to my own view, nor has 
any author ever excited a more humbling sense of 
my attainments, and of my imperfections. I hope 
God in his goodness to this sinful world will spare 
the life, and preserve the mental powers of one so 
useful. •^ 

'^ Sat., Jan. 6t7i, 1816. Attended prayer-meeting 
this evening. Found no one there but Mr. Rich- 
ards, nor were any other there but myself and 
children. Mr. R. sung and prayed, and while I 
enjoyed the blessing lamented that the ways of 
Zion should thus mourn. 

" Sab., Jan. 7th. Rose this morning with a desire 
to attend meeting. Although the weather was dis- 
a^i»;i-eeable, I made ready with my children to Avalk 
to Milltown. Just as we were on the point of set- 
ting out, with some doubts whether we should not 
suffer from the cold, Mr. R. came in and said he 
had liberty to take me and the children to meeting 
in Mrs. Welles' cutter. I could not but think this 
a kind interposition of Providence, as we must 
otherwise have suffered, for we had not gone far 
when it began to snow, .and has continued through 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 2.19 

the day. I did not expect preaching, but just as 
meeting hegan Mr. Parker came in and preached, 
much to our comfort. 

'' Wed. , Jan. IQth. Had an invitation to an enter- 
tainment this evening. Made several excuses, hut 
none would answer, so with a heavy heart I went. 
My surprise and pleasure were great on finding the 
party composed of Mr. and Mrs. Wisner witli th(*ir 
father, and Mr. Guernsey, the preceptor of the 
academy. We enjoyed ourselves in rational con- 
versation, but these pleasures will be sliort, as Mr. 
Wisner' s connection with this church is soon to be 
dissolved, and we shall be as sheep without a 
shepherd. 

''Sat., Jan. \Wi. Attended prayer-meeting this 
evening. But two persons beside my own lamily 
were present. Mr. Wisner prayed with much fer- 
vency for the church in this place. 

'' Sab., Jan. lUh. Our dear minister has this p.m. 
bid a long farewell to Athens — not expecting to 
preach here again, nor is it thought advisable to 
have reading meetings at present. 

" Sat, Jan. 20th. Our dear minister has this day 
removed from us to Ithaca. He bade us an affec- 
tionate farewell. When he had gone I wept for 
myself, and for my children. 

" Thurs., Feb. 1st. Took a ride with my children 
to Smithfield, to visit my sister. AVe were all 
pleased, and loved our little cousin 'Harriet 
Newel,' Laura's first-born. I felt an aff'ection for 
it, much like what I felt for my own. 

'' Wed., Feb. 1th. Rev. Mr. Smith arrived, and is 
to preach a short time for us. His society is very 



260 Early Times. 

instructive, and amply rewards us for whatever 
trouble or expense we incur for Ms entertainment. 

'' Sab., Feb. iWi. Have been much strengthened 
in my wishes and hopes of being faithful to my chil- 
dren by two discourses which I have this day heard 
from Mr. Smith, on these words — ' Train up a child 
in the way it should go, and when he is old he will 
not depart from it.' He agrees with Mr. Willis- 
ton, and many other divines, in supposing that God 
has made a covenant with believers and their seed 
— that if believers are faithful to their children, he 
will convert every one of them. 

^' Thurs., Feb. 2^th. The 'Luzerne Association' 
meet this week for the purpose of dismissing Mr. 
Wisner. This is a stroke which will leave our 
church low. This association is a body of eminent- 
ly pious divines. A number of them, after their 
conversion, left lucrative employments, and devoted 
themselves to the less profitable business of the 
ministry. Some have had a public education, and 
the advantages of the ' Andover Theological Semi- 
nary.' 

" J/07Z., Marcli UJi. Had an opportunity of assist- 
ing by charity a soldier who had been wounded. 
His It'ii: had been broken in three places, a ball had 
remained three weeks in the other knee, one eye 
lost, one ear cut in pieces, and a sabre wound in 
the side, in which were taken fourteen stitches. 
His countenance was very good, and it was gratify- 
ing to assist him. If it was done with a right motive, 
it was a pleasant way of laying up treasure in 
Heaven. 

''Sat, Feb. lot/i, 1817. The cold is very intense. 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 201 

Mr. Smith says it is the most severe winter- we have 
had for thirty-eight years. There are many snflferers 
on account of it. The extreme distress it bringss is 
such as I have never known. Yesterday the cold 
was really terrifying. The streams heing frozen, a 
famine almost prevails, and I am under serious 
apprehension that some Avill actually perish from 
want. We have haked our last bread, but it is not 
for myself that I fear. It is for those who liave no 
bread, nor any other comfort, and many such tliere 
are around us. 

^'Wed., Feb. l^tli. Yesterday Mrs. Keddington 
became the mother of three sons at a birth. 

''Wed., Feb. 2Uh. Mrs. Gregory watched with 
Mrs. K.' s last babe the night on which it died. Not 
one has been spared. 

''Sab., March M. Cold, famine, and pestilence 
seem every day to increase, and threaten desolation. 
The oldest person of our acquaintance remembers 
no such time. A mother thinly clad came three 
miles through the storm, to beg a trifle for lier 
children to eat. I have partially relieved three 
families to-day. The one best provided for liad 
nothing save some frozen potatoes and milk— a 
family of nine children. 

'' Wed., March Uh. The very great and extreme 
severity of the weather has abated. It has been 
remarked by elderly peoj)le, that such a severe 
winter has not been known since the year 1780.'' 

The drought and severity of the weather, of 
which Mrs. Paine speaks, were felt extensively 
through the country. The summer of 1816 was 
very cold. Snow fell for more than two hours 



262 Early Times. 

on tlie 3(1 of June, and vegetation was cut off to an 
alarming extent. 

The drought and scarcity prevailed also through 
1817, 1818, and the effects were felt greatly through 
the winter of 1819. Many families suffered for 
want of food, and many cattle starved to death. 
They were frequently found leaning against the 
fence through weakness, and were often found 
dead in tlie fields. The oldest people then living 
knew of no such time of cold, and famine, and 
general calamity. 

Wells were dry and water scarce. The spots on 
the sun also added terror to suffering among the 
illiterate. It was a wonder how the poor subsisted, 
for the rich had barely the necessaries of life, and 
provisions could scarcely be obtained at any price. 
Some nearly perished from cold and want. One 
family had nothing but damaged turnips. Cold and 
famine, during the severity of February, 1817, 
seemed every day to increase, and were sometimes 
terrific. 

Abisha Price was greatly straitened for food 
for his family, and started out with his gun 
almost in despair, when he saw a fawn, and was 
upon the point of firing at it, but discovered that a 
wolf was approaching behind him. He turned and 
killed the wolf, then pursued the deer, killed and 
dressed it, and took it home to his family with a 
joyful ^leart. He went to Esq. Saltmarsh, made 
oath that he had killed the wolf, and obtained a 
certificate for which he received of the county treas- 
urer twelve dollars bounty. But for the success of 
this day, he said he could not have supplied his 



Mrs. Clement Paixe. 263 

family through the season witli tlie necessaries of 
life. 

"March S(7i, 1817. We havejnst heard the mourn- 
ful intelligence, that a little son of Mr. Park was 
drowned under the ice in the Susquelianna l^iv^T.'* 

Not long after a little grandson of Major Flower 
was returning home, driving a horse before a sleigli. 
They were all found drowned tin* next morning 
Tinder the ice, where they had lain througli the 
night. 

journey to brainerd. 

About 1818 the cause of Indian Missions en- 
gaged the attention of many in this part of the 
country, and several persons offered themselves to 
the American Board of Missions, to be sent as mis- 
sionaries to the Indians, and were accepted. R<*v. 
Ord. Hoyt, of Wilkesbarre, was appointed to the 
superintendence of the mission among tlie CIhto- 
kees. Soon after a location was made at Brain«*rd, 
on Mission Ridge, about ten miles up the Chicka- 
mauga Creek, and a few miles from Lookout Moun- 
tain. 

Here these devoted missionaries gathered a mis- 
sion family, of more than a hundred natives, uiuh'r 
their care, with schools, agricultural instructions, 
and many religious privileges. The ''Mission 
House," was built by the president. Mrs. Paine, 
possessing much of a missionar}^ spirit, being ac- 
quainted with some of the missionaries, and having 
a high estimation of the advantages to be enjoyed 
there, proposed to her liusband, who was in poor 
health, to remove South, in the neighborhood of 



264 Early Times. 

the mission, where his health might be improved, 
and their chiklren might receive the benefit of the 
establishmeiit. The plan was matured to their 
mutual satisfaction, and after due arrangements, 
tlie family; consisting of the mother, four sons, and 
a servant girl, with a faithful man to take charge 
of them, commenced their journey, November, 1820. 
Mr. Paine attended them as far as Frederick, Mary- 
land, where they expected to meet some mission- 
aries, who were destined for Brainerd. Mrs. Paine' s 
journal says, " While waiting tliere, Mr. Paine ac- 
companied us to Washington. We heard the 
Presidents Message, and felt grateful for the in- 
terest taken in the poor natives. The address can- 
not fail to raise him in the estimation of the benevo- 
lent. After returning to Frederick, and not meet- 
ing with the missionaries, it was thought best for 
us to proceed. Mr. Paine was obliged to return to 
Athens, that he might settle some secular affairs, 
intending immediately to prosecute his journey to 
Braineid on horseback. 

'' While at Frederick we became acquainted with 
tlie Rev. Mr. Davidson, and heard him preach. 
One evening the conversation turned on Dr. Boudi- 
not's 'Star in the West' Mr. Davidson said he 
had a friend who had greatly ridiculed the idea, 
yet wislR'd to read the book, whicli he did without 
Bleeping, and before half finishing it, became a con- 
vert to its doctrines." 

It Avas a favorite theme with Mrs. Paine, that 
the natives of our country were the lost tribes of 
Israel. 

''We passed through Winchester, and Harper's 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 205 

Ferry, which Gen. Jones supposes a greater curi- 
osity than the Natural Bridge, appearing to be 
built in a large cleft of the rock through wliich the 
river passes. We saw the Natural Ih-i'dge also, so 
often described by others. From a projecting rock 
on the north side of it, we had a view of this most 
fearful abyss, the bottom and each side of wliich 
are composed of limestone rock, so regularly 
wrought, as to lead some to the absurd conclusion 
that the whole is a work of art, not of nature. I 
shudder at her temerity, who we were told as- 
cended and turned three times round on a stump, 
so near the verge of this awful precipice, that I 
dared not go Avithin its reach. A gentleman de- 
scribed the Otter Peaks, a large pile of rocks on 
Blue Ridge. A rock weighing many tons was 
balanced on the top of another ; the surface of this 
rock was a space only large enough for two to 
stand upon, yet he sajv a young lady ascend this 
place and dance there. Is there not a high degree 
of infidelity in thus triHing with death ? We were 
willing to believe her the same foolish girl who 
performed at the Natural Bridge. We were much 
pleased with the hospitable treatment we received 
at the Bridge Tavern. The blacks at the house 
were treated with much kindness, and I was agree- 
ably surprised in seeing one of them r«'ading her 
Bible, I asked her where she had learned, she said, 
^At the Sabbath-school,' but added plaintively, 
^ We cannot have them any more.' I heard this 
lamentation from many a poor African. 

"As we approached Knoxville, we met witli much 
kindness from several families, some of whom felt 



Early Times. 

mncli interest in our object. These formed a per- 
fect contrast to the conduct of one family where we 
spent the Sabbath. The landlord was a weak in- 
temperate creature, and his wife, of course, had the 
command. They were in good circumstances, but 
ignorant and profane. The family of blacks were 
numerous, and had nearly obtained the ascendency. 
The house was not large, we were obliged to occupy 
the bar-room. We felt ourselves on more than 
heathen ground. While the children of the family 
and the negroes formed a common group in play- 
ing ball and swearing, I collected my children 
around me and we alternately read aloud in our 
Bibles. I suppose our bigotry, as they would term 
it, was a subject of ridicule in the early part of the 
day, but after a time one and another came in to 
hear a story read, until a small audience of blacks 
and whites were collected around us. I felt much 
rejoiced in being able to command their attention, 
and selected the most entertaining and instructive 
accounts, and read chapters which described the 
doom of the wicked. Mrs. W. (the landlady) 
sighed often, I suppose at the small prospect of 
comfort in her husband or children which she had 
in this world or the next. 

''When leaving the well- cultivated and fruitful 
soil of Pennsylvania for the fertile regions of the 
South, we were greatly disappointed in finding a 
country comparatively barren — yet we could not 
but ascribe this and almost every evil to slavery, 
that bane of happiness and of almost every good 
principle. There was to me a gloom overspreading 
each field and prospect, similar to what one might 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 2G7 

see in passing through a country desolated by the 
ravages of war ; only this we might l)(-li*n^<» transi- 
tory, the former permanent. It seemc^d that the 
ground was doubly cursed for their sake, nor was 
the curse less discernible on the minds and man- 
ners of the oppressors. Idleness, that source of 
vice, was a predominant feature. One said to me, 
^If you were to live here you would like our 
country better than any you ever saw, and slaves 
save so much drudgery.'' True, but this drudr/ery 
is generally left undone ! The remark was often 
made that the slaves did not half support tliem- 
selves. I believe that an income of five hundred 
dollars at the North might support a family more 
comfortably than fifteen hundred dollars the owner 
of twenty slaves. 

" We found the poor slaves very grateful for the 
least instruction. I asked myself if the perishing 
souls of these blacks were not also valuable, and 
if these wretched abodes were not Mission Ground^ 
such I was resolved to consider them ; here to be- 
gin my labors, and to lose no opportunity of tell- 
ing them, that they had souls most precious, to be 
saved by faith in the Redeemer. 

"At one place we saw four small chiklren, the 
eldest eight years old and their mother was dead. 
These had lately been purchased of their master 
for one thousand dollars. 

" We saw an encampment of nearly one hundred 
negroes, waiting to bury one of their (•<)ni])anions, 
now in the agonies of death from the t'rtect of 
poison administered by one of his comrades with 
whom he had a quarrel. The overseer said his 



268 EaPwLy Times. 

master would not have taken two thonsand dollars 
for him. We visited the dying man's tent; his 
wife and children surrounded his bed in much 
affliction. I asked his wife if she thought him pre- 
pared for death. ' O yes, madam, through the 
merits of our Lord and Saviour, I trust he is.' 
She seemed to speak this with the heart and un- 
derstanding. A poor decrepit gray-headed negro 
stood by, I asked him if he was prepared to die, 
he replied, 'O no, I don't think I am.' This poor 
creature without hope of a happy future, did not 
look as if he could survive the fatigue of a journey 
to Alabama, whither the overseer said he was tak- 
ing the crew for trade. One who made a good ap- 
pearance asked me to walk into her dwelling. This 
was the first which did not seem like an abode of 
wretchedness. It was neat and fancifully fitted up 
with curtains and good beds. She said she had 
been owned by many masters, and that all her 
children were sold. ' At first it almost broke my 
heart,' said she, ' but I am case hardened.' I in- 
quired if there were any Christians on" the j^lanta- 
tions. She told me Of one who was very good, 
whom his master and mistress and all loved. Soon 
after, I saw the gray-headed negro almost bent 
double with age and infirmity, but his countenance 
was expressive of a benevolent heart, and peace 
of conscience. I said to him, ' They tell me you are 
a very good Christian.' '0 no, mistress,' he re- 
plied, 'we read there is none good but God.' I 
found this poor slave, an intelligent humble fol- 
lower of Christ. It was most delightful to see 
their suflerings thus ameliorated. 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 26^ 

*' Instances were not unfreqnent of motliers being 
sent from Virginia to Alaliaina, leaviiif^ a family of* 
little cLildren at home, and in these cases they were 
inconsolable. These bands were generally chained 
through fear of opposition. In some of tlieni, 
mulattoes might be seen, said to have been sold by 
their own fathers ! 

''It must not be supposed that all alike were 
wretched ; we saw many whose slaves were treat- 
ed well, were well fed and clothed, yet they cost 
their owners far more than they could earn. 

''A runaway slave had been taken up on the ])lan- 
tation of Widow A., young Atkins came in and 
said, ' Well, we put the fellow to torture, and he 
has confessed who his master is. He is a likely 
young fellow,' said he, 'and we could not think of 
putting him in jail, as there was one there already 
who had been taken up for a runaway, and placed 
there until his master should come, but his feet 
were frozen, as he had no fire or blanket.' I ex- 
pressed my horror, regretting that we had passed 
the jail fifteen miles, and could not leave him one. 
Mrs. lltkins said this was nothing, that three 
years ago a black fellow was condemned to be 
huno- for stealing a horse which he rode only three 
miles, that he was put in jail at Wythe, where he 
lay during the winter without tire or Ixlanket, and 
when tal^n in the spring to the gallows, the blood 
and water dropped from his legs and feet, which 
had been frozen to his knees ; and his toesdroi^ec 
off t Fain would I have disbelieved this dremlliU 
story, which was confirmed by two or three of the 
family. 



270 Eaelt Times. 

'^ One more account shall close this catalogue of 
■woes. Our landlord in one place related the fol- 
lowing : — 

''A black fellow on the allowance of only one 
peck of corn a week, had been able to split one 
hundred rails each day. His master came to him 
and said, ' I have laid a bet that you can to-mor- 
row split two hundred and twenty rails, cannot 
you gain it f He said, ' I do not know, master, 
but will try.' He rose early and by great exer- 
tion accomplished it. His master instead of re- 
warding him with approbation, says, ' I know 
now you can, and you shall accomplish this every 
day.' He tried but was not able to linish the task, 
and was severely beaten. On the third day he fell 
short still farther, and was again beaten, with his 
short allowance of food, and repeated chastise- 
ments, at length he was not able to finish one hun- 
dred. His master in a rage approached to beat 
him, when the negro seized him by the throat and 
strangled him to death, for which, adds our land- 
lord, 'I saw him hung.' I heard many slave- 
holders lament that a black had ever come from 
Africa. They know not what can be done with 
them. 

'' We had not ceased to travel any day since leav- 
ing Frederick, excepting on the Sabbath, and until 
within thirty-two miles of Brainerd. Here the rain 
had rendered the creeks impassable, and we were 
compelled to wait three days. Our host and host- 
. ess were amiable and very kind, but with their 
poor management indoors and out, they could 
neither make us or themselves comfortable. 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 071 

thougli living on a farm wliicli in New England 
could have supported a family in good stylo. Thfir 
house was without an oiit.T do(ir, or one i)ane of 
glass, and unfurnished with shovel, tongs, and- 
irons, or tea-kettle, with very few chairs, and little 
table furniture. 

'^ ' We learned here many things about the mission- 
aries. Our host said they were doubtlrss the U'st 
people that ever came into their country. We 
were now on Cherokee lands, the appearance of 
which was very pleasant, there being no und^T- 
brush in the woods, and the traveller could pro- 
ceed without interruption. 

" We took leave of our hospitable friends as soon 
as we could proceed with safety. But we found 
the creeks much swollen and ourselves in ]H'ril 
several times. I clasped my children in my arms, 
but could not have saved them had we overset, as 
the horses could hardly stand in the swift current. 
Can we ever forget the good liand of our God 
which carried us through ! We spent a comfort- 
able night in a little hut near the cnvk, and the 
next night we trusted would bring us to our j)lace 
of destination. 

'' We crossed the Tennessee through much danger 
in a boat which was said to be old and dcMibtful. 
The river had not been so higli in many years. 
My fears were wholly allayed l)y a deep impres- 
sion of these words, 'II /<y /, be not afraid: 
After this I enjoyed the sublime scene. We 
passed the last habitation between us and the mis- 
sion, but near sunset we found ourselves in a dark 
forest, the rain falling in torrents to which we were 



272 Early Times. 

wholly exposed, and the evil was greatly increased 
when jve arrived at a high hill, which with much 
fatigue and difficulty we ascended. To our great 
joy at length we saw a light glimmering on the left. 
We had arrived at the consecrated spot. All ap- 
peared happy, the doors of each cabin near the 
mission were open, in each of which was a blazing 
fire, around which the Cherokee boys were play- 
ing merrily. We passed by these cabins and en- 
tered the mission house, Avhere we were received 
with much cordiality and surprise by the family. 
We were introduced to a room where was a long 
table, around which several well-dressed Cherokee 
girls were sitting at work, each with her work-bas- 
ket before her, A good supper was quickly pre- 
pared, and we were most agreeably surprised in 
finding some luxuries to which we thought we had 
bid adieu. After this happy interview we retired 
to bed. We were led to a chamber neatly fur- 
nished, where we found a good fire. All these 
things exceeded my expectations, I felt sentiments 
of gratitude to the dear missionaries, and was truly 
thankful to this great Giver of all. 

" I shudder at the recollection of all^our dangers, 
the -more on account of the children, and I love 
these young soldiers for their patience and perse- 
verance. 

"Having one female attendant and four sons, I 
used sometimes to think of Christiana in Bunyan' s 
' Pilgrim's Progress.' Our sleep was very sweet this 
night. The early bell called upon us to rise, and 
the bell for prayers summoned us to the dining- 
room, and here I had the satisfaction of seeing the 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 27S 

mission family, the precious property of the Chris- 
tian piiMic and of tlie American I^oanl. M«»re 
than ninety interesting Cherokee children were as- 
sembled for prayers. A portion of Scripture was 
read, we heard those cliildriMi of the forest sm<r the 
praises of our God, and bowed with tliem tlie knee 
to Jehovah. The children of the scliool we ever 
found most affectionate and interesting, the natives 
have minds superior to slavery, nor can any tyrant 
subject them, yet they own many slaves whom 
they treat with kindness. We found the minds of 
the children most susceptible of improv<*nient. 
Religious instruction did not seem like a tale twice 
told. Their books were their delight, and they 
seemed to realize their advantages as something 
new, and which might not always be enj()yi*d. 

'^ Charles Hicks is well-known as a Christian and 
as chief of the nation. He had two sons and a 
daughteftin the scliool. The latter was an interest- 
ing, superior girl, her form was elegant, and slie 
possessed much genuine wit, which afforded us all 
much entertainment- I had the satisfaction of s«'e- 
ing her improve in her temper, which was at first 
quite ungovernable, and with the utmost Joy I saw 
this dear girl enter an apartment where 1 was sit- 
ting one evening without a light, and kneel down 
and pray with mucli earnestness. 

"Little Harriet Newel I loved much, she was an 
interesting sweet child, but easily offended, which 
she manifested by pouting. I gave her a cake 
which being broken displeased her. She turned 
away without accepting it, haughty and stniight 
as an arrow, but reflecting turned with a charming 



274 Early Times. 

smile, received lier cake, and said, 'Mrs. Paine, I 
will give you my basket,' — her only treasure. 

''Wit, beauty, and genius, are not unusual among 
tliese children of the forest. 

"Delilah Fields I had reason to think was a 
Christian. I had brought some presents from the 
school of Miss G. at Athens for the school here. I 
requested Delilah to write them a letter. One even- 
ing she came into my room and said she would 
write. I gave her pen and paper, but she said 
' she did not know what to- write.' I dictated the 
first sentence, and turned to my own engagement. 
In about half an hour she brought me her letter 
finished. Yery few children would have written 
as well, for she was not twelve years old. It could 
hardly be believed that a child of her age who had 
been at school but two years could write this. It 
was published in the Religious IntelligeiiMer^ and 
I have since seen it in the Missionary Herald. 

" John NeAvton was supposed to be a Christian. 
He was only twelve years old. He was not only 
loved but respected. There was a degree of dignity 
in his manners which I rarely if ever saAV in a youth 
of his age. In the coldest mornings when called to 
prayers, while many of the children were trying to 
secure themselves a good seat, or wrapping them- 
selves warmly in their blankets, without a choice 
of seat or a blanket, John Newton, regardless of the 
cold, with his eyes fixed on the reader, paid the 
closest attention to what was read and to pra3^ers. 
He was brother to Harriet Newel. Neither of them 
had any mixture of Avhite blood. I have often ad- 
mired their bravery, and their indifference to their 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 275 

food, nor did it afflict them to lose a meal. Excel- 
lent fisli were plenty, and the boys were fond of 
fishing. There were formerly no jrHst-mills in the 
nation. They are in the habit of hullin<r corn and 
making conaJienna. This is made by' pounding 
tlie corn, wetting it with lye, then boilinfrit swi-ral 
hours until it becomes about the consistency of 
gruel. We could hardly have supported the table 
without this dish. We also had meat, corn bread 
and wheat bread, and sometimes a pudding. Our 
toil was very great, there being but three sisters 
able to do any part of the mission labor. After 
my children became inured to the fare of the mis- 
sion table, they were healtliy and contented. Tliey 
were greatly amused by frequent excursions about 
the grounds, and much pleased with the hosj)itality 
of the Cherokees. 

" Marriage is quite customary in their nation, but 
formerly was but little known. A gentlmian from 
Georgia four years ago- passed through the nation, 
and again last year. He says their ini])rov»*m<'nt 
as a nation is astonishing. Many of them live in 
good style. The women spin and the men culti- 
vate the lands. The first class of the men wore fme 
broadcloth and appear like gentlemen. I^oss was 
a chief, kept a store and post-office. Their con- 
nections were numerous and respectable, and lived 
in brick houses." 

Mrs. Paine received some intimation from her 
husband that the state of his health was such he 
would not be able to endure the journey as had 
been proposed. She writes, "Mr. Paine Ix-gan his 
journey to Brainerd, but was unable to prosecute 



276 Early Tidies. 

it, Tvliicli rendered our return necessary. A man 
was sent commissioned and prepared to remove 
myself and children again to Pennsylvania. There 
was no doubt in the minds of our pious friends at 
Athens, there was no doubt in the minds of the 
missionaries, nor could there be any in my own 
mind as to the duty of returning. We left the mis- 
sion, April 3, 1821, with feelings of the deepest re- 
gret, which could only be soothed by the prospect 
of meeting a husband and a father. The mission- 
aries and the cliildren affectionately assembled in 
the piazza where a prayer was made, and a parting 
hymn sung. We took leave of the children indi- 
vidually, some of whom wept aloud. 

' ' Mr. Paine expected if his health admitted to 
meet us in Virginia. Our expedition was greater 
than we had anticipated, and it was not until we 
arrived in Pennsylvania, on the first of May, that 
we saw him pensively riding down a long hill, and 
fording a river, without observing us, until one of 
the children grasping his hand says, ' Pa, we are 
all here.' Merciful Father, how great was thy 
mercy and goodness which enabled us to say, 
^ We are all here.' " 

•Mrs. Paine' s life was that of a uniformly devoted 
Christian, alwaj^s watching for opi^ortunities for 
usefulness. Even after her hand was palsied in 
her last sickness, she commenced a note to a friend, 
which she could not finish, recommending an ob- 
ject for the benefit of youth, that would be eleva- 
ting and instructive. But the map of the Celestial 
city was ever before her, and when the messenger 
called for her to go thither, she was not surprised. 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 277 

She calmly said, "I have done with the world, I 
have nothing more to do. To look back, all is 
darkness, but," pointing upward, "yonder, yonder, 
up there, all is bright, beautiful, beautiful. There is 
•the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." 

Death is welcome to those who have nothing to 
do but to die. She closed her mortal existence, Oct. 
6, 1834, in full faith in the Resurrection. "Christ 
the first fruits, afterward they that are Christ's at 
his coming." A beautiful poem she wrote on this 
subject, some years before her death, may be ap- 
propriate to insert. 

THE RESUREECTION OF A GOD. 

Twice had the sun in darkness left the world, 
And twice had night her sable robes unfurled, 
And anxious nature in suspense jet stood, 
Death held his sceptre o'er the Son of God! 

The hours in solemn silence passed away, 
The guards were waiting the approach of daj. 
The midnight moon gleamed on the extended spears. 
Their helmets still reflected back the stars. 

At length the day-star blushed around the east, 
And cast her beauteous beams on distant west ; 
Sweet morn once more dispelled the gloom of night, 
The azure sky again was dressed in light. 

When, lol convulsions shake the solid ground, 

Spreading confusion and dismay around I 

A glorious angel swift descends from heaven, 

The guards fell backward, from his presence driven I 

His face divine beams with immortal glow. 
His form celestial, garments white as snow ; 
The seal was broke ; the stone was rolled away, 
Angelic guards the wondrous work survey. 



278 Eaelt Times. 

The seal of death was broke, the work was done, 
The angel sat upon the ponderous stone ; 
Death from the sepulchre shrunk back to hell, 
The awful news of ruin there to tell I 

But who is this, arising now, comes forth 
In robes of blood and garments dyed in death ? 
In awful majesty, lo! see him come 
Divine and lovely from the yielding tomb. 

Zion ! 'tis your king — ye Christians tell, 
This is your God, who broke the powers of hell ; 
For you, the wine-press he hath trod alone, 
For you, the vengeance of his God hath known 1 

And now behold the resurrection morn, 
Angels behold the first of nature born I 
He rises conqueror from the cruel grave. 
He comes, guilty man! with power to save. 

Ne'er did the world behold the rising sun, 

In glory thus victorious return ; 

The morning stars with joy together sang. 

The echoing sound o'er heaven's wide concave rang. 

The God of mercy from his throne looked down 
Well pleased that through the atonement of his Son, 
He could \>Q just and on redemption's plan, 
Save guilty, — ruined — yet still favorite man 1 

Soon shall the deserts blossom and rejoice, 
Soon will the nations raise their tuneful voice ; 
From distant heathen lands — from shore to shore, 
The Babe of Bethlehem sing — the triune God adore. 

^ Athens, August T, 1829. A. P. 

NOTE OR CONCLUSION, 

There are doubtless many interesting facts connected with the history 
of Athens that have not come to the knowledge of the writer. 

It is not claimed that the record is all that could be desired ; it is 
hoped, however, that it may aid in a future and more complete history 
of tlie country in this vicinity, whenever another hand shall undertake 
the task. 



Mrs. Clement Paine. 279 

Note.— Chickamauga was a reservation of the Cherokee nation, con- 
taining twelve thousand square miles, guaranteed to tbom by the Uml«d 
States government; two-thirds of which lay in the nonhwort part 
of Georgia. Brainerd, the first missionary establishment of the Amen. 
can Board among the Cherokees, was m-ide in 1817. on what hat been 
since called Mission Ridge, much not^d in the late war, and within the 
bounds of the reservation, with farmers, mechanics, physician, and teach- 
ers, to instruct the natives, and introduce among them habits of indue- 
try and civilized life. 

The mission was in successful operation, until the laws of Goorjrfa 
were extended over them. Two of the missionaries wero imprisoned 
for refusing to take the oath of allegiance to the State of Georj^ 
They were taken from tlieir fields of labor, by armed soldiers, and im- 
mured in the penitentiary for a year and four months. 

Tl^^ lands of the Cherokees were surveyed and divided into farma, 
and distributed by lottery among the inhabitants of- the State. The 
United States also took the 8,000,000 of acres of land, paying them 
the sum of 500,000 dollars, and removed them beyond the Mississippi 
Such were the hardships they endured when journeying to their new 
homes, that one-fourth of them died on the way. 

They were removed across the Mississippi in 1827, '28, and '19, 
numbering more than 20,000 when they left Georgia. Many of the 
missionaries went with them. They are now called a Christian nation. 
— Vermont Chronicle. 

Note — Near the close of the late war, a gentleman from Chicago 
with two officers from Chattanooga, visited the old Brainerd MissioB 
Station on Mission Ridge, seven miles east of Lookout Mountain. The 
mission-house and mill are still remaining. In a clump of trees neer 
by is the old mission grave-yard. The monument of Dr. Worcester, 
whose dust has been removed to New England, is in a state of preaer- 
vation, and the inscription plain. He died while on a visit of kindoeea 
to the Cherokee people. 

Mr. Vail, who went as a missionary farmer in 1819, is the only re- 
maining representative of the mission, now living near Chattanoo^ and 
is an elder in the church at that place, the church being composed, in 
part, of members from the original Cougrogational Church at BraiuertL 
The gentlemen were greatly interested in Mr. VaiL— J/wwfwry Ber^ 
1866. 



APPENDIX. 



In 1«28 Colonel John Franklin, of Athens, Pennsylvania, prepnred a 
series of articles, which were published in the Toioanda Republican. 
The number for February 14th of that year, containing the account of the 
Battle of Wyoming, will nodoubt be read with interest, coming from that 
remarkable man. 

As I was living in Huntington, upwards of 20 miles ^rom 
Wilkesbarre, from the 1st of June, 1777, to the 3d day of 
July, 1778, and although I can state the facts, I cannot 
name the dates of all those transactions. 

The inhabitants in their respective districts erected forts 
to resort to for defence in case of an invasion. Two forts 
were erected in Exeter, one at Wintermoots, and the 
other at Jenkins, at the Lackawanna ferry. Some time in 
June two or three men were murdered up the river above 
the forts in Exeter, by Indians or Tories. Application 
was then made to the Board of War for Capt. Spalding 
with his company to be sent to Wyoming to defend the 
inhabitants ; orders were given for that purpose. The 
company was at that time with a Pennsylvania regiment 
at or near Valley Forge, when the orders were received 
for them to return to Wyoming. But probably from the 
influence of Pennsylvania Tories, or others who were op- 
posed to the inhabitants holding the country under the 
jurisdiction of Connecticut, or as was suspected from some 
evil design, the company was not permitted to return im- 
mediately to Wyoming, but were kept with the regiment 
and marched a difl'erent course for several days and were 
finally discharged at Lancaster, from which place they 



Appendix. 381 

marched for Wyoming, and arrived at Shoop'g Inn, in 
Northampton County, about 30 miles from Wyoming?, on 
the evening of the 3d of July, tlie day on 'which the 
massacre took place. Had they not been thun detained, 
they would have been at Wyoming at least six days before 
the battle was fought. 

Having satisfactory information that an anny was on 
their way to invade the settlements, Cols. Hutler and Deni- 
son, with six companies of militia, and Capt. Hewit's com- 
pany, marched some distance up the river the last day of 
June, with a design to meet the enemy and attack them be- 
fore they rcMched the settlements below, but returnetl with- 
out discovering any except two Indians who, having tlieir 
retreat cut off, attempted their escape by swimming the 
river. Lieut. Roswell Franklin and another person plip- 
sued them with a canoe, and dispatched them with their 
setting poles in the river. It appeared that the body of 
the enemy, to prevent being discovered, had marched 
through the woods back of the mountains some distance 
from the river settlements. It was well ascertained that 
the Wintermoots and some others had driven oattle over 
the mountains to feed the enemy when on the way. Hav- 
ing ascertained that the enemy were not far distant, the 
inhabitants resorted to their respective forts with their 
women and children; those in the neighborhood of Win- 
termoots resorted to that fort, where Daniel Ingersoll who 
resided in the neighborhood took the command. 

On the first day of July, two of the Wintermoot.s left 
their fort and went over the mountain on pretence^ of 
making a discovery ; they returned to the fort very quiet- 
ly in the evening, and called for entrance. The gate wM 
opened, when the villains led Col. John Butler with his 
army of Tories and Indians into the fort, and the few inno- 
cent" families who had resorted there for safety, were made 
prisoners. On the morning of the 2d July, a detachment 



282 Appendix. 

of the enemy marched to Jenkins' fort where the few 
families in that neighborhood had resorted for safety, not 
being able to defend themselves, surrendered, and the 
enemy took possession of the fort and made prisoners of 
its inmates. 

July 2d, at nine o'clock in the evening, I was in Hunt- 
ington, a mile from home at a neighbor's, wken I received 
by an express the following letter : — 

" KiXGSTOX, 2d of July, 1778. 
*' To Capt. JoETN" Fran-rlin. — Sir, you are commanded to 
appear forthwith, with your company, at the i'orty fort 
in Kingston. Don't let your women and children detain 
you, for I don't think there is any danger at present, for 
the enemy have got possession of Wintermoots fort, and 
I conclude they mean to attack us next. You will act as 
you think prudent about ordering the women and children 
to move to Salem ; but you must not wait one moment to 
assist them. 

"Nathan I^enison, ColonelP 

" To Capt. Whittleset, 

" You are desired to forward the above with all possible 
expedition ; don't let any thing detain this — Press a horse 
if needed. 

" Nathan Denison, ColoneV 

My company lived scattering — a part in Huntington 
and the remainder along the river from Shickshinne to 
near Berwick — the greatest number however lived in Sa- 
lem. The letter was copied and sent to my lieutenant, Stod- 
dard Bowen, at Salem, with directions to have him meet 
me at Shickshinne early the next morning, with all of the 
company that could be collected in that quarter ; notice 
was also given to every family in Huntington. Two of 
the company from Huntington were at that time in Shaw- 
ney, and three at Shickshinne. 



Appendix. 

Early in the morning July 3,1^ I took my family lo a 
neighbor's house where I met with six men, all that'oould 
leave Huntington with safety to the women and chihlrcn. 
We marched to Shickshinne. Lieut. 15owen had beco 
there, and taken with him three men who were there, and 
had been gone an hour; he had left a sergeant to collect 
the men in Salem and follow him. We bad gone but a 
short distance when we met an express (Henj. Harvey) 
with a letter from Lieat.-Col. George Dorance, informing 
me that " the Tories and Indians, about 600 in number 
were in possession of Wintermoots fort — that he expected 
they would attack Kingston next, and requested my aa- 
sistance, with my company, with all possible speed." He 
had also written a few lines to a Capt. Clingman, who was 
then stationed at Fort Jenkins, near Fishing Creek, with 
90 men, requesting his assistance with his company at 
Kingston. I also underwrote a few lines to the same pur- 
port. 

When we reached' the garrison at Shawney, we had in- 
formation direct from Kingston, that Cols. Butler and 
Denison, with all their forces had left the fort and formed 
a line at Abraham's Creek a short distance from the fort, 
and did not expect an attack from the enemy until the 
next morning. From that information I left part of the 
men I had with me to wait a short time for tiie arrival of 
the residue of the company from Salem. I marched on 
with four others, and when we came opposite to Wilkt>*- 
barre we heard the firing, not heavy but scattering. ^ >> e 
hastened on with all speed, and found on arriving at Kinij. 
ston fort that a battle had been fought, and Cols. Duller 
and Denison, with 15 or 20 others had in their retreat 
gained the fort. Col. Butler tarried there but a very i»hon 
time, when he crossed the river to Wilkesbarre. From 
Col. Denison and others I got the following particuIarH. 

The enemy having possession of the two uy>\yeT forla, 



284 ^ Appendix. 

it was expected they would attack Kingston next. Five 
companies of militia, to wit : three from the east side of the 
river and two from the west, with Captain Hewit's com- 
pany were collected at Kingston fort. In consequence of 
the enemy being in possession of the upper forts, no assist- 
ance could be had from the inhabitants iu that quarter. 
The enemy had taken possession of all the water craft at 
Jenkins' ferry so that the Lackawanna company command- 
ed by Capt. Jeremiah Blancher, had no way of getting to 
Kingston unless by going down on the east side of the river 
and crossing at the fort, and leaving their families behind 
where they might have fallen an easy prey to the enemy. 

The precise number collected at Kingston fort was not 
ascertained, I am, however, confident from my ov/n knowl- 
edge that the whole number, including Capt. Hewit's com- 
pany, did not exceed 300 men. I knew every man that 
was in the battle from Shawney ; their whole number was 
only 44 ; a small number from each company was left in 
their respective forts to guard the women and children. 

On the morning of July 3d, Daniel Ingersoll, then a 
prisoner in Wintermoots fort, was sent by Col. John But- 
ler, commander of the enemy, with a flag to Kingston fort, 
proposing to Cols. Butler and Denison that on condition 
of surrendering without bloodshed, he would give them 
good terms of capitulation ; a surrender was refused and 
the flag returned with information accordingly. 

After the flag returned. Cols. Butler and Denison, with 
all their forces left the fort and formed a line at Abraham's 
Creek, with a view of attacking the enemy before they 
reached the fort ; that in case they were not able to hold 
their ground they could retreat to the fort. Capt. Mc Car- 
ragan, of the Hanover company gave up the command to 
Capt. Lazarus Stewart, an old warrior, and went with him. 
Lieut. Lazarus Stewart, Jr., went on as a volunteer in the 
same company. 



Appendix. 205 

Some short time after the middle of the day, it wm dif. 
covered that the enemy were burnincr all the'Rc-ltlemenU 
above, and collecting all the cattle within their reach; but 
from appearance it was apprehended that they would not 
risk an attack upon Kin<rston, but would burn, plunder, 
and destroy all the upper settlements, and wouM proliably 
cross the river to Lackawanna, and take possession of-that 
fort, destroy the settlement, and probably massacre the 
people or make them prisoners and return back with their 
booty from whence they came. To prevent which it waa 
proposed by some of the officers to go and attack them on 
their own ground, which was finally agreed to, though re- 
luctantly by some. Col. Denison informed me that he said 
as much against it as he could say, without being called a 
coward. It was his wish to wait for more strencjth — for 
the arrival of my company, which he expected would be 
on the following morning, and further for the arrival of 
Capt. Spalding's company, as Lieut. Timothy Pierce, ar- 
rived with information that the company were on the way, 
and would probably arrive on Sunday for their assist- 
ance ; but fearing that it would then be too late, that the 
enemy would draw off with their booty before any further 
assistance could be had, it was determined to attack then>» 

Capts. Durkee and Ransom, Lieuts. Ross and Welles, 
with a select party marched forward as the advance, and 
formed the line of battle; Capt. Ilewit's company on the 
right, and Capt. Whittlesey's company on the left. When 
they came in sight of the enemy, they were in a body about 
Wintermoots fort; but they instantly formed a line across 
the plain, covered with trees and brush to a swamp on 
their right. Cols. Butler and Denison with their small 
forces advanced to a line drawn for action, to meet the 
enemy, who were at least double their number. The 
battle now commenced, and the firing was heavy for alxml 
30 minutes ; the left wing of the enemy was forced ^'"•^. 



286 Appendix. 

and Capt. Hewit's company and others on our right wing 
had gained about 30 rods of ground, the enemy breaking 
before them. Our left wing lield their ground, and victory 
over our enemies was considered sure, when it was discov- 
ered that the Indians were advancing round in the swamp 
to surround our left wing, when orders were given to flank 
off" to the left to prevent being surrounded ; but through 
mistake it was said that orders were given to retreat off to 
the left, and some person (probably through fear), cried 
out that Col. Denison had given orders for the left wing 
to retreat — they gave back, and the Indians set up a hid- 
eous yell and advanced. Attempts were made by the 
officers to prevent retreating, and to bring them up to face 
the enemy and to stand their ground, but in vain ; the 
word " retreat," though not intended, proved fatal — a 
general retreat taking place. The left whig first giving 
way, when the right wing was advancing, their retreat 
was cut off", by the bend in the river below. The savage 
Indians, and Tories of a more savage nature, rushed on with 
their guns and tomahawks ; the slaughter became dread- 
ful ; the greatest number that escaped the slaughter was 
by crossing the river; numbers were killed in the river in 
attempting to cross, numbers surrendered on the promise 
of good quarters — in one particular case about 20 got into 
the river in company, where they were fired upon by the 
Indians and Tories, and several were killed, when they pro- 
posed to the survivors that if they would come to shore 
and surrender themselves they should not be injured — 
that their lives should be spared. Trusting to these prom- 
ises, 15 in number returned back to the shore and surren- 
dered themselves prisoners ; they were led off some dis- 
tance to the road, where they were set down in a ring 
facing each other, with an Indian to the back of each one, 
to hold them down, when the old squaw. Queen Esther, 
followed round the ring to the right with a death maul, 



Appendix. 287 

with which she broke their skulls. Among these prisoners 
was William Buck, a lad about 15 years old, a son of 
Lieut. Asahel Buck;^e was not held, and seeing the old 
squaw killing the prisoners, with her death maul, he start- 
ed and ran off crying; he was pursued by an Indian who 
took him, and flattered him that as he was a white-headed 
boy he should not be hurt. But while he was leading him 
up to the ring, another Indian came behind him and 
struck a tomahawk into his head and put an end to his 
life. Lebeus Hammon, being a stout man, a large Indian 
stood behind him with his hands on his shoulders to pre- 
vent his rising, seeing but one man on his left to receive 
the fatal blow before his turn should come, he concluded 
that he could but. die, and that he might as well make an 
attempt to save his life as to sit still and receive the fatal 
blow from the death maul of the old Queen, gave a sudden 
spring — arose frorn the ground and knocked the Indian 
down that w^as holding him, ran into the woods, pursued 
by two Indians, but turning one side from his course 
under cover of a tree, and a bunch of brush, the Indians 
ran by a short distance, when he changed his course 
through the woods and escaped with his life. The other 
fourteen w^ere killed, stripped and scalped, and left lying 
in the ring with their feet towards each other. 

I was informed by a man who escaped the slaughter, 
that a man of the name of Calwell, in Capt. AVhittlesey's 
company on the left wing, was killed in the commence- 
ment of the action, and that he was the only one of that com- 
pany that fell until they commenced their retreat. And 
from the best account that could be had from those that 
made their escape, and from examining the ground, the 
greatest number that were slain had surrendered them- 
selves prisoners on the promise of their lives being spared 
and were afterwards inhumanly massacred. 



LAND TRANSFERS. 

The following is a record of the transfer of certain.lots of land in the 
village of Athens. 

Title— 1789— April 13th. 

Solomon Bennett to Andreas Budd, the grantor for value 
received gives up all his right and title to a certain lot of 
land lying on Tioga Point, known as Number 6, containing 
nine and three-quarters acres. 

Title. 

John Franklin to Andreas Budd, 30th March, 1793 ; con- 
sideration, three pounds. 

Right of lot of land lying and being in Athens aforesaid, 
and being in that part of said Athens called the town plot, 
and beinoj lot Number 40, the first division of lots in said 
Athens. 

Said lot bounded northerly, on a piece of land laid out 
for public use; westwardly on a highway laid out through 
the town plot; eastwardly on Susquehanna River. Said 
lot being 6 rods wide on a north and south line. 

Title. 
Andreas Budd to Elisha Mathewson, l7th June, 1795, 
conveys both these lots for eighty pounds. 



ERRATA. 

Page 42. For three gi-cii'lchildreu, re.i'l rheir gruidchiMrnn 

Page 45. For Fort Thayue, read Fort Wajme. 

Page 90. For Mausville, read Meansville. 

Page Ul. For 1799, read 1808. 

Page 147. For State Line for '36, rea<l \7S(',. 

Page 148. For Coming Home, read Coming Here. 

Page 162. For Sat terlee, read Shepherd. 

Page 175. For 1808. read 1800. 

Page 176. For Decke, read Decker. 

Page 176. For Peter, retd Teier. 

Page 230. For Sperm, read Spencer. 

Page 233. For 54, read 58. 



<f'^fl^ 






